Search halted for fisherman missing after ferry collision

The search for a teenage fisherman who went missing after his boat and a passenger ferry collided was called off today.

Rescue crews stepped down the search for the 16-year-old, believed to be from North Shields, this afternoon, Coastguards said.

He was on board the Homeland vessel with his brother when it made contact with the Scottish Viking ferry off the coast of St Abbs in Eyemouth, Berwickshire, shortly before 8pm last night.

The 20-year-old elder brother - who is the boat's skipper - was pulled from the water by another fishing boat.

Four lifeboat crews and up to 20 fishing vessels spent today scanning an area of just under five square miles.

All lifeboat crews have been stepped down but the Coastguard said local fishing boats may continue searching for the missing teenager.

It is not known if he was wearing a lifejacket, although some were found at the scene.

Earlier, Fred Caygill, of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), said: "The survivability period for someone in the water has passed.

"Different factors affect different people's chances of survival, but it has been a long time.

"Some lifejackets were found at the scene but it's not known if the missing person was wearing a lifejacket."

The accident happened about five miles (8km) off the coast of St Abbs.

The Homeland, registration number BH120, operates from North Shields in Tyneside.

The passenger ferry is run by Norfolkline, part of DFDS Seaways, which operates services between Rosyth, Scotland, and Zeebrugge in Belgium.

DFDS Seaways said the ferry was chartered by Norfolkline from Italian firm Visentini.

Visentini said an investigation into the accident would be carried out.

A spokesman said: "The owners are currently undertaking a detailed investigation into the circumstances of the collision and will provide all necessary assistance to authorities investigating this tragic incident.

"Our immediate concern is for the safety of the fisherman who is still missing, and our thoughts are with the family."

A DFDS Seaways spokesman said the company was "deeply concerned" about the accident.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has also launched an investigation.

A spokesman said: "We are conducting a preliminary examination at the moment."

Lothian and Borders Police said officers were assisting the Coastguard.