Almost 200 passengers and crew remained stranded on board a ferry travelling from Scotland to Northern Ireland today after a lorry broke free and burst through the ship’s rear door.
The Stena Line service between Stranraer and Belfast was forced to sail back to port with the lorry hanging out of the back after the incident.
Passengers said they became concerned after hearing a loud bang at the rear of the vessel. The coastguard was alerted at around 9.20pm.
Once back in Stranraer, in Dumfries and Galloway, the 156 passengers and 33 crew were not able to disembark because the ferry could not berth as the lorry was blocking the way.
A 400-tonne crane was travelling from the north of England today to remove the lorry and allow the ferry to dock. The cab of the lorry is inside the ferry while the trailer is hanging out of the stern and the rear door has been damaged.
Passengers were given blankets, food and drink during their night onboard.
A Stena Line spokesman said: “They are in absolutely no danger. The ship was quickly stabilised and there is no one hurt.” He said the lorry was secured onboard, but it appears it slipped back and went through the door.
The lorry was a tanker carrying non-hazardous ferrous sulphate powder and none of the substance has leaked, police said. The Scottish Environment Protection Agency said there would be no danger to the public if the material escaped.
HSS Stena Voyagerwent back into service only on Monday after a £1 million refit. It normally makes four round trips a day between Stranraer and Belfast.
Once passengers have disembarked later today, the damage will be assessed and the vessel will go back to Belfast for repairs. Services on the route were suspended until further notice, but Stena Line passengers were being transferred to P&O services.
Police said that Stena Line and maritime agencies will carry out a full investigation into the incident.