Grounded ferry heading back to base

Pentland Ferries has confirmed that the MV Alfred grounded on the island of Swona at 2pm this afternoon. The vessel has 82 passengers on board.

The company says the ship is now back in the water and is being escorted back to St Margaret’s Hope.

In a statemen released this afternoon, a spokewoman for Pentland Ferries added:

“Passengers had already been transferred to the lifeboats before the ship was refloated. They are also being transferred to St Margaret’s Hope. An ambulance is on standby to deal with potential injuries. The safety of passengers is, of course, our first priority.

:A further statement will be issued, as soon as we have more information.”