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CalMac ferry runs aground in Lochmaddy harbour crash | CalMac ferry runs aground in Lochmaddy harbour crash |
(about 3 hours later) | |
A ferry has crashed into a harbour wall and run aground at Lochmaddy Marina in North Uist. | A ferry has crashed into a harbour wall and run aground at Lochmaddy Marina in North Uist. |
The MV Hebrides, which had 76 passengers and crew on board, was unable to slow down as it attempted to dock at 11:00. | The MV Hebrides, which had 76 passengers and crew on board, was unable to slow down as it attempted to dock at 11:00. |
It had been travelling from Tarbert on Harris when it is believed to have suffered engine problems. | It had been travelling from Tarbert on Harris when it is believed to have suffered engine problems. |
No passengers on board the Caledonian MacBrayne vessel were injured in the incident. | No passengers on board the Caledonian MacBrayne vessel were injured in the incident. |
Norman MacAskill, a truck owner and farmer who was waiting to board the ferry, said it was immediately obvious something was wrong as the vessel approached. | Norman MacAskill, a truck owner and farmer who was waiting to board the ferry, said it was immediately obvious something was wrong as the vessel approached. |
'Churning up the sea' | 'Churning up the sea' |
He said: "As I watched the ferry coming round the bend of the pier, she seemed to be going very fast. She just kept on coming and it was clear something was drastically wrong. | He said: "As I watched the ferry coming round the bend of the pier, she seemed to be going very fast. She just kept on coming and it was clear something was drastically wrong. |
"Then she came to a dead stop. Someone said she was stuck in forward gear. You could hear the sound of the engine churning up the sea. | "Then she came to a dead stop. Someone said she was stuck in forward gear. You could hear the sound of the engine churning up the sea. |
"They eventually managed to get her to stop and in reverse, but on the way back she hit the pier." | "They eventually managed to get her to stop and in reverse, but on the way back she hit the pier." |
All services on the route have been cancelled for the day after what Caledonian MacBrayne described as "a technical issue". | All services on the route have been cancelled for the day after what Caledonian MacBrayne described as "a technical issue". |
A CalMac statement said: "A technical failure led to the vessel being unable to reduce speed sufficiently for the routine docking procedures and she struck both pontoons in Lochmaddy harbour and the seabed. | A CalMac statement said: "A technical failure led to the vessel being unable to reduce speed sufficiently for the routine docking procedures and she struck both pontoons in Lochmaddy harbour and the seabed. |
"No-one was injured and the vessel's hull remains intact. A total of 76 passengers and crew were on board, as well as 13 cars, one lorry and one motorhome. | "No-one was injured and the vessel's hull remains intact. A total of 76 passengers and crew were on board, as well as 13 cars, one lorry and one motorhome. |
"She is now alongside safely at Lochmaddy. All passengers and vehicles have been disembarked and alternative routes for all those affected are being investigated. | "She is now alongside safely at Lochmaddy. All passengers and vehicles have been disembarked and alternative routes for all those affected are being investigated. |
"A team of divers is on its way to make underwater investigations of the hull and a full inquiry into what happened has been launched. | "A team of divers is on its way to make underwater investigations of the hull and a full inquiry into what happened has been launched. |
"Travel on the Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy route is disrupted and likely to remain so for some time/a minimum of 48 hours." | "Travel on the Uig-Tarbert-Lochmaddy route is disrupted and likely to remain so for some time/a minimum of 48 hours." |
A note in the Am Paipear's Facebook page said Monday's sheep sale at Lochmaddy had been cancelled as a result of the crash and would be rescheduled as soon as possible. |
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