Stricken ferry drifts close to Scottish coast

A FERRY carrying more than 100 people started drifting off the Scottish coast after developing engine trouble on its way to Northern Ireland, the coastguard said.

The Stena Navigator was travelling from Stranraer, Dumfries and Galloway, to Belfast when both engines suffered partial propulsion failures.

The boat, which had 70 passengers and 47 crew on board, was drifting around four nautical miles west of Corsewall Point lighthouse at the northern end of the Rhinns, Mull of Galloway.

Clyde Coastguard said it received a call from the vessel at 12:50am yesterday.

They said two Svitzer tugs, Norton Cross and Willowgarth, went to the area with a view to towing the vessel to Belfast but the Navigator managed to get one engine running and sailed over on half power, accompanied by the tugs.

Clyde Coastguard said the vessel arrived at around 4:30am and everybody on board was believed to be safe and well.

Crossing times for sailings between Stranraer and Northern Ireland on board the Stena Navigator ferry are normally around three hours.