A major search operation in the North Sea resumed today after the Scottish Viking ferry, which sets sail from Rosyth, and a small fishing boat collided off the coast near St Abbs last night.
One person was missing after the boat Homeland, described as a prawn fishing vessel, was involved in the accident with the large ferry five miles off St Abbs, near Eyemouth, in Berwickshire.
There had been two fishermen on board the Homeland.
One of them was recovered from the water by another fishing boat but the other was still missing late last night.
At 11pm last night the search was called off, said a coastguard spokesman, adding the operation would resume at first light.
Forth Coastguard received a report of the accident from another fishing boat at 7.50pm.
The coastguard was unable to give any details of the missing person.
Fifteen vessels helped at the scene of the accident.Rescue helicopter scrambledSpeaking earlier Forth Coastguard watch manager Steve Higgins said, “We have requested the Eyemouth and Dunbar all-weather RNLI lifeboats and the Dunbar and St Abbs RNLI inshore lifeboats to launch and they are currently on scene and searching for the missing man.
“The rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer has been scrambled and is also on scene.
“We have broadcast messages to all shipping requesting assistance and 15 other fishing vessels have joined the search.”
A rescue helicopter and lifeboats from Dunbar, Eyemouth and St Abbs also helped with the search.
David McIntosh, who runs a bed and breakfast in St Abbs, said the search was taking place a mile from the shore.
He described seeing the lights from the vessels combing the area for the missing fisherman, but said he did not know who he was.
The Scottish Viking is operated by Dutch company Norfolkline, owned by DFDS Seaways.
The ship operates between Rosyth and Zeebrugge in Belgium.