Staff qualification issue affects Kilcreggan ferry service

The ferry service links Gourock to Kilcreggan

A ferry on the Firth of Clyde has been told to run at reduced capacity as its crew lacks the correct qualifications.

The Clydelink-run ferry - between Kilcreggan, on the Rosneath Peninsula, and Gourock in Inverclyde - can carry up to 75 passengers.

It was restricted to 12 passengers after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) found all its crew did not have the necessary qualifications.

Clydelink said it hoped to have the situation resolved within 48 hours.

Restrictions imposed

The problem emerged after the MCA carried out an inspection of the service earlier this month.

The agency found that not all crew members had the correct endorsements to operate a ferry with more than 12 passengers.

The MCA imposed the restriction following the inspection.

Clydelink took over the running of the all-year-round service, on behalf of Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, on 1 April.

The company has admitted to some "bedding in" issues, but denied claims it had only managed to operate 30% of sailings since its contract began.

Clydelink said it would work with the MCA to rectify any areas of concern.