SISTERS Pam Sykes and Rene Williams were just feet from the impact when an 80,000 tonne tanker smashed into a cruise boat in the Straits of Gibraltar.

Pam, 64, and Renee, 70, both from Ramsgate, were having lunch on the deck of the MV Van Gogh as it headed out of the Port of Gibraltar when the crash happened.

Pam said: “It was very foggy. We were in the prow of the boat when a large tanker loomed across our bows. It was startling. Our boat to stopped and the tanker manoeuvred in front of us and turned to our side.

“There was a crash, a large jolt and the sound of tearing metal. The crew reacted immediately and were extremely calm and professional.

"They assessed the damage straight away and it was fortunate that the hole gouged was above the waterline otherwise it the outcome could have been much different.

“The boat was towed into harbour for repairs. It was not until we got off that we realised the huge impact that had been made. That was when we realised what a lucky escape we had.

“The gaping hole looked as if it had been ripped into the front of the Van Gogh - it made the front of the boat look like a shark.”

The sisters were on their fourth holiday on the Van Gogh organised by Travelscope and praised the way that the accident was handled. Renee said: “Nothing was too much trouble for the crew and captain. Bus excursions into Spain were arranged for all the passengers for the rest of the holiday and the service remained first class.”

The crash happened at 12.45pm on Sunday, September 26, five days into the eight night late summer break.

The tanker Spetses was carrying a cargo of crude oil to the Cepsa refinery when it hit the MV Van Gogh that had 492 passengers on board.

Renee added: “We have already booked another holiday on the Van Gogh because we love our time on board so much. We certainly will remember our stay in Gibraltar this year for an adventure that we can tell our family and friends about.”