08/03/2012

Cargo Ship Captain Arrested After Crash

The captain of a cargo ship has been arrested following a collision in Belfast Lough.

The cargo ship, it is understood, collided with a passenger ferry about a mile and a half from shore between Carrickfergus and Helen's Bay, at 19:45 last night.

No one was injured as a result of the accident but both vessels were badly damaged.

Police have now launched an investigation into how the accident occurred. The Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Marine Accident Investigation Branch and the police are involved in the investigation.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said both captains had been breathalysed.

Alan Couser, Operations Manager at Donaghadee lifeboat, said they were able to respond quickly.

"Donaghadee lifeboat was actually out on exercise when the incident happened and both it and Bangor lifeboat were requested to attend the incident," he said.

The ferry was on its way from Birkenhead, Merseyside, to Belfast when the collision happened.

(LB)

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