A tourist last night told how passengers screamed as they were thrown off their seats and banged their heads against metal railings when their ferry crashed at Dockyard.

American mother-of-two Jackie Musto said she saw one man lose his teeth while others were left lying on the floor in shock after the accident on Saturday afternoon. Her family members suffered a number of injuries, including her 13-year-old son, who suffered a blow to the head.

Fourteen people were released after treatment in the emergency room, although reports over the weekend had suggested 20 were taken to hospital.

"It was scary of course," said Mrs. Musto, of Long Island, New York. "You didn't know what happened because we were getting very close to the shore. And then everybody screamed.

"It was like a delayed reaction; it felt like slow motion. It was a really loud bang then silence for like two seconds, although it felt like an eternity.

"People were thrown from their seats. I was sitting down facing my husband and I got pushed out of my seat. The next thing I remember I was on the floor kneeling next to him."

Mrs. Musto suffered a scraped knee, her son and father-in-law both had minor head injuries, her mother-in-law was left "black and blue" after smashing her arm against a railing, while her husband Frank hurt his shoulder. They returned to the US.

Mrs. Musto insisted: "We were very fortunate. It could have been a lot worse. The crew was wonderful, as were the passengers. People who were not injured were going to people who were injured."

The accident happened at about 12.40 p.m., as the Serenity attempted to dock with about 47 passengers on board. It was witnessed by dozens of people.

Asked about the safety of its other fast ferries, Government released a brief statement last night, saying: "The Department of Marine and Ports Services assured the travelling public that Bermuda's catamaran ferries continue to be one of the safest modes of public transportation."

A spokeswoman confirmed an investigation was ongoing and would involve written and verbal reports, but declined to reveal any information as to how the accident happened. She said she was unable to confirm a suggestion, from Mrs. Musto, that there was a problem with the gear as the vessel attempted to reverse. Both Serenity and the Dockyard berth escaped damage in the incident, she added. Serenity is expected to resume full commuter service in due course.

Witnesses to the incident should telephone the Marine Police on 299-4585.