Ferry collides with harbour wall

HUNDREDS of passengers were delayed after a ferry collided with a harbour wall in strong winds on one of the west coast’s main sea routes.

The Brodick to Ardrossan service was caught by a gust as it approached the harbour at around 6:30pm on Tuesday, Clyde Coastguard said.

Ferry operator Caledonian MacBrayne said the vessel had to wait for an hour for the wind to drop before reversing in.

The coastguard said the ferry later berthed safely and the 277 passengers disembarked, with no injuries.

There were 40 knot winds in the area when the incident happened.

Some services between Ardrossan and Brodick were cancelled yesterday morning while damage to the vessel was assessed.

The CalMac website said that sailings on the service are subject to the arrival of the relief vessel and may be cancelled or delayed at short notice.