Ferry receives US warship warning

A passenger ferry on the River Clyde was unwittingly caught up in an international war exercise.

Operation Neptune Warrior, a training exercise for Nato warships, is taking place off the west coast of Scotland.

A threat by the US Navy to fire on unidentified ships was transmitted to the Kilcreggan to Gourock ferry as it crossed a warship's path.

An HM Naval Base Clyde spokesman said it was a "regrettable incident" but stressed the ferry was in no danger.

The MV Kenilworth was making its regular 10-minute crossing at about 0940 BST on Monday when the incident happened.

It was human error, plain and simple, someone pressing the wrong button Royal Navy spokesman

The US warship was leaving Faslane naval base for the two-week exercise.

The Royal Navy said its investigation had found that one of the warships had used the communication channel VHF Channel 16 to make a routine contact with the Kilcreggan Ferry.

Hundreds of signals were dispatched on separate signals to communicate with the fast boats involved in the exercise.

One signal went out by mistake on the same Channel 16 which had been used earlier.

Top condition

"It was human error, plain and simple, someone pressing the wrong button," said a navy spokesman.

"But it was only one signal out of hundreds - and everyone in the maritime community had already been briefed that the exercise was taking place."

He said such exercises were conducted to keep sailors and ships in top condition and expose weaknesses.

"We will learn lessons from this and, of course, we apologise to the master of the Kilgreggan Ferry and his passengers," he added.

Nato warships are taking part in a major exercise

"It was a regrettable incident but the warships involved weren't being gung-ho."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman had earlier said: "The communication was overheard by other vessels.

"The challenge was directed to other ships in the exercise and there was no threat to anybody.

"The ferry was in no danger."

Ship captains and crews must pass Operation Neptune Warrior to fight as part of a flotilla.

It simulates terrorist attacks, with marines acting as bombers.

Ferry owners Clyde Marine Services made no comment.