PASSENGERS aboard a cruiser had a tour of the Orwell River cut short when the boat began to take on water.The 69 retired Diageo workers, from Colchester, were on their way back from a tour from Ipswich to Harwich on board the Orwell Lady when the trouble began.

PASSENGERS aboard a cruiser had a tour of the Orwell River cut short when the boat began to take on water.

The 69 retired Diageo workers, from Colchester, were on their way back from a tour from Ipswich to Harwich on board the Orwell Lady when the trouble began.

The minor fault was rectified after the cruise, and the vessel was back in action today.

Captain David Ingham said: "We were on a normal afternoon charter cruise and water got into the engine room.

"As a precautionary measure we disembarked our passengers at Woolverstone Marina instead of Orwell Quay.

"There was no danger to the passengers at any time, some were rather amused by the little bit of excitement.

"Passenger safety is paramount and we will not take even the slightest risk."

The incident was believed to have been caused by a faulty pump and there was no damage to the boat itself.

The passengers coaches travelled to the marina to collect them and they were expected to be home 20 minutes early.

A spokeswoman for Orwell River Cruises said: "There was a slight problem in the engine compartment, so the skipper decided to put in at Woolverstone rather than return to Ipswich.

"There was no danger - it is just that the engine stopped or something like that.

"Our skippers are very experienced and if there is any slight risk of a problem we wouldn't take the risk of continuing, but would ensure the passengers are safe."

The spokeswoman added that a marine manager from Orwell River Cruises attended the incident at Woolverstone.