Man dies after falling overboard from Stena Line ferry in Loch Ryan

A man has died after falling from a ferry in a port in southern Scotland.

The incident happened at the Cairnryan Ferry Port, near Stranraer at around 5.50pm on Saturday 1 July.

The ferry was sailing from Belfast to Cairnryan.

A number of rescue boats were launched at 5:47pm after reports a passenger on the Stena Superfast VIII vessel had gone overboard at Belfast Way, Cairnryan.

Response vehicles from Stranraer life boat station and a Stena Line rescue craft, as well as a Coastguard helicopter had been deployed in the rescue mission.

After the man was found, he was airlifted by a helicopter and taken to University Hospital Ayr.

Police Scotland have confirmed that he was pronounced dead at the hospital.

Officers have launched an investigation into the incident.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “We received a report of a man having gone overboard from a ferry at Belfast Way, Cairnryan around 5.50pm on Saturday, 1 July, 2023.

“Emergency services attended and the man was taken to University Hospital Ayr, where he was pronounced dead.

“Enquiries to establish the full circumstances of the incident remain ongoing, however there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances.

“A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

In a statement, Stena Line said the incident happened as the ship approached its destination of Loch Ryan Port, Cairnryan.

The statement said: "Emergency response procedures were initiated, including the launch of Stena Line’s onboard fast response craft. 

"All relevant authorities, including the Coastguard and Police Scotland were informed and a search and rescue operation was launched. Superfast VIII resumed its sailing schedule at approx. 20.30 hrs. 

"A full investigation into the incident is currently underway led by Police Scotland.”

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