REPAIRS to moorings and yachts damaged by an out of control ship off Pin Mill could run into thousands of pounds according to one boating expert. Four boats were damaged when the ship inexplicably careered into them at around 3.

REPAIRS to moorings and yachts damaged by an out of control ship off Pin Mill could run into thousands of pounds according to one boating expert.

Four boats were damaged when the ship inexplicably careered into them at around 3.45pm on Wednesday. Four moorings securing the boats were also damaged as chains attaching them to the riverbed became tangled.

The damaged boats belonged to customers of Harry King and Sons boatyard.

Boatyard owner Geoff King said: "We have got surveyors coming to assess the damage. We have to re-lay the moorings and that will be a few thousand pounds."

"There are four damaged moorings and on top of that there's the damage to the boats."

The incident happened when the ship turned sharply into a line of moored boats and became entangled with chains attaching them to the seabed. Three boats went adrift but were later collected.

Luckily no one was on board any of the damaged boats and no-one was hurt in the incident.

It is thought that a steering problem could have caused the incident but no explanation has been put forward as yet.

Mr King said: "They were probably turning towards the port but why it turned at a such a right angle I have no idea."

The owners of boats have been informed of their condition by Mr King and are understandably concerned.

Mr King added: "Their boats are their pride and joy and they take great care of them. They do not like to think they have been damaged in any way."