Trawler hit by 2,500 tonne ship

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The crew of a Troon-based fishing boat have had a lucky escape after they collided with a 2,500 tonne cargo vessel off the Isle of Arran.

Clyde Coastguard scrambled a lifeboat after receiving a call from the Spes Bona V at about 0110 GMT.

It was struck by a cargo ship called the Leeswig as it trawled for prawns. No-one was injured in the incident but the smaller boat was damaged.

Its co-owner told BBC Scotland the impact of the collision was horrendous.

Donald Gibson, 40, who co-owns the Spes Bona with his brother, told the news website: "It is so lucky we were not all drowned.

"We were fishing about three miles south of Arran when the Leeswig came upon us.

It could have been very much worse Donald Gibson

"I altered course to starboard to try and get us away out the road and I showed my lights to indicate to the oncoming boat what I was doing.

"But rather than him alter course as well he kept coming."

He added: "I have never felt anything like it in my life.

"When it struck it felt like being in 10 car crashes at the one time, or like a car or lorry hitting a bike, the impact was really horrendous."

Mr Gibson said the part of the vessel which tows the nets had been badly damaged and would take a couple of days to fix.

'Much worse'

He added: "All the damage appears to be above the water line and we are all still here so that is the main thing.

"We were really fortunate. It could have been very much worse."

Four crew were on board the fishing boat, estimated at about 36 tonnes, when it was hit.

A spokeswoman for Clyde Coastguard said the lifeboat had escorted the Spes Bona V back to Troon harbour.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch will carry out an investigation.