On 28 March 2007, the ferries HarbourCat and Pam Burridge, and the motor cruiser Merinda, collided approximately 96 metres east of the Harbour Bridge and 180 metres out from the shoreline of Dawes Point in the Sydney Harbour. The speed at which the vessels were travelling was estimated at 25 knots.

The Master of the Pam Burridge sighted the Merinda on the bow side at a distance of approximately 20 metres. At 10.50pm, the Starboard pontoon (hull) of the Pam Burridge collided with the Starboard side of Merinda midway along its length. The Pam Burridge tore through the hull, machinery space and decking and dislodged the transom. The Merinda's fly bridge was also destroyed.

Consequently, the Merinda was effectively cut in two and the occupants were either thrown into the water or left clinging onto the wreckage. Air trapped below deck in the trunk cabin kept the wreckage of Merinda afloat until the responding vessels attended. Four passengers on board Merinda died and the remaining eight required hospitalisation. Contributing factors to the ferry accident included; poor visibility, environmental factors and human error.