Police Scotland have given the all-clear following a two-hour security search of the MV Caledonian Isles at Ardrossan harbour, after a passenger rescued from the sea claimed an explosive device was on board.

The security alert led to the evacuation of 329 passengers on Friday evening and prompted CalMac to scrap remaining sailings into Saturday morning.

The ferry had departed Brodick on the Isle of Arran at 4.40pm bound for Ardrossan. At around 5.30pm, the crew responded to reports of a person overboard, deploying their Fast Rescue Craft to pull the man from the Firth of Clyde.

Shortly after being recovered, the passenger allegedly told crew members that an explosive device was on the vessel. Staff immediately enacted emergency procedures and alerted the authorities while beginning an initial search on board.

HM Coastguard confirmed it responded off Ardrossan at around 5.25pm, dispatching rescue teams from Largs and Ardrossan alongside the Troon RNLI lifeboat. Police Scotland and the Scottish Ambulance Service also attended.

Upon arrival at Ardrossan, police cleared the port and evacuated all passengers down the gangway to a nearby Asda car park. Officers carried out an extensive search of the ship lasting more than two hours before confirming the threat was resolved. Passengers were then allowed to return on board solely to collect their vehicles.

CalMac chief executive Duncan Mackison praised the emergency response, saying: "This was a fast-moving situation that was handled professionally by our crew, Ardrossan port staff and emergency services and I would like to extend my thanks and gratitude to them." He confirmed that no injuries were reported.

The disruption to the Arran route remains significant. CalMac cancelled all remaining Friday evening sailings from Ardrossan to allow crew members to debrief and replenish emergency gear. Saturday morning departures have also been cancelled, with a review scheduled for 10.30am to decide if the 12.30pm crossing can go ahead. An additional sailing was arranged on the MV Alfred from Troon at 7.50pm to help clear the backlog.

It remains unclear how the passenger came to be in the water or whether any charges have been brought. I'll continue to monitor developments and update this report as new information is confirmed.