The ferry sustained damage to the starboard propeller shaft after chains from Lochmaddy Marina's pontoon became entangled during the incident.

Diving inspections indicate that there has been some low-level hull damage amounting to non-serious bumps and abrasions, which could be expected from contact with the seabed - the hull is intact and there is no water ingress.

It is hoped that, weather permitting, HEBRIDES will shortly begin the journey to Greenock under her own power - forecasts, however, have warned of severe gales. For safety considerations, the journey will be done in stages and it is planned that she will enter dry dock at Greenock at the end of the week.

Assuming HEBRIDES has been able to begin her journey as planned, LORD OF THE ISLES will reposition to Uig on Skye. It is currently planned that she will make two return journeys on Thursday and three returns on Friday and Saturday, boosting capacity for the Uists, as the journey time between Lochmaddy and Uig is considerably shorter than that of Lochboisdale to Mallaig.

These arrangements will continue up to and including Saturday (October 1).

Passengers who would normally travel from Tarbert, Harris to Uig are being requested to use the Stornoway to Ullapool route. The overnight freight service on LOCH SEAFORTH on the Stornoway to Ullapool route is also being made available to all customers.