Search called off for man in ferry mystery

Rescuers have called off a search which was launched amid fears that a ferry passenger had fallen into the sea.

The man, understood to have boarded the boat at Larne in Northern Ireland, was reported missing after it docked at Cairnryan near Stranraer yesterday morning.

A full search of the ferry and surrounding area was organised involving RNLI lifeboats and a Royal Navy helicopter from Prestwick.

Coastguards said it did not appear that the man had gone overboard.

A Clyde Coastguard spokeswoman said: "We had to do the search because of the possibility that someone went overboard but it now does not look as if that is the case."