Caledonian MacBrayne ferry with dozens of people on board crashes into harbour on Scottish island

The transport firm said a ‘technical failure’ on board the MV Hebrides caused it to hit harbour pontoons at Lochmaddy on North Uist

Ferry company Caledonian MacBrayne has launched an inquiry after a vessel carrying scores of people crashed into a harbour.

The transport firm said a “technical failure” on board the MV Hebrides meant the ship was unable to slow down enough for a routine docking and struck the harbour pontoons at Lochmaddy on North Uist.

The vessel, which had been carrying passengers from Tarbert on Harris had 76 passengers and crew on board at the time, as well as as 13 cars, one lorry and a motorhome.

A Caledonian MacBrayne spokeswoman said: “A technical failure led to the vessel being unable to to reduce speed sufficiently for the routine docking procedures and she struck both pontoons in Lochmaddy harbour and the seabed”.

She stressed that no-one was injured and all passengers and vehicles had been disembarked after the incident, which took place shortly after 11am on Sunday.

The spokeswoman said: “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”.

Services on the route are expected to be disrupted for at least 48 hours, with passengers advised to check the CalMac website and social media for updates on alternative travel plans or call 0800 066 5000.