ONE of CalMac's Gourock-Dunoon ferries was called to assist in a recovery effort in the Firth of Clyde at the weekend.

MV Ali Cat responded after a boat broke down near the Ashton buoy off Gourock on Saturday, September 14.

Ali Cat played a key part in the rescueAli Cat played a key part in the rescue (Image: Supplied)

The coastguard's Belfast maritime rescue co-ordination centre (MRCC) asked the CalMac ferry to assist the stricken vessel until a lifeboat was able to arrive on the scene.

Sailings on the Gourock-Dunoon route were disrupted as a result but normal service resumed before 1pm.

A CalMac spokesperson said: "MV Ali Cat was tasked by Belfast Coastguard to assist with a broken down vessel off of the Ashton buoy.

"This resulted in a delay to the arrival of the 1105 from Dunoon in Gourock. There were no casualties reported and MV Ali Cat was awaiting the arrival of the lifeboat.

"MV Ali Cat was stood down by the Belfast coastguard following arrival of the RNLI lifeboat, and the 11:35am departure from Gourock and the 12:05pm departure from Dunoon were cancelled as a result of the vessel responding to the emergency."