MV Hebrides ferry crashes into pontoons and runs aground

An investigation is underway after the MV Hebrides ran aground after hitting pontoons at Lochmaddy Marina at North Uist, Scotland.

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Divers have been investigating the hull of the MV Hebrides, after the passenger ferry hit pontoons at Lochmaddy Marina and ran aground.

The 99-metre vessel is used for the Tarbert/Lochmaddy – Uig service in the Outer Hebrides, Scotland.

The accident happened at just after 11am on 25 September.

None of the 76 passengers and crew were injured in the incident.

In a statement, the ferry’s owners, Caledonian MacBrayne said the MV Hebrides was on a routine approach to Lochmaddy pier after travelling from Tarbert on the Isle of Harris.

“A technical failure led to an inability to decrease speed commensurate with the normal berthing procedure. The vessel struck pontoons at Lochmaddy Marina and made contact with rocks on the seabed as she came to a halt,” it said.

“No one was injured and the vessel berthed under her own power at the pier in Lochmaddy, where she remains alongside,” continued the company.

Divers have now begun a “thorough investigations of the hull below the waterline”.

“Appropriate action will then be taken based on the outcome of these investigations. The company is also working with the Lochmaddy Marina owners regarding the damage to the pontoons,” said Caledonain MacBrayne.

Passengers are being warned that disruption to the Tarbert/Lochmaddy – Uig service “will continue for some time”.

A contingency timetable has now been put in place, and passengers are being urged to check the company’s website to get the latest updates.

“Our teams are continuing to work directly with passengers affected in order to find the best solutions for them,” explained CalMac’s operations director, Drew Collier.

“This was a very rare incident. We have a proud and excellent safety record, and I would like to assure all customers and the public as a whole that safety is the number one priority for the company. We thank people for their forbearance and understanding at this time,” he continued.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has announced that its begun its own investigation.

In a statement it said: “The MAIB has started an investigation into the grounding of the ferry MV Hebrides and the vessel’s subsequent heavy contact with a quay in Lochmaddy, North Uist, Scotland on 25 September 2016. The vessel was damaged but there were no injuries reported.”