A TEENAGER from the North-East is believed to be missing at sea after a fishing boat collided with a ferry.

A huge search was ongoing after the North Shields-based trawler, called Homeland, hit the Scottish Viking off the coast of St Abbs in Eyemouth, Berwickshire.

The missing fisherman, believed to be a 15-year-old boy from Tynemouth, was one of two people on board the vessel when the incident happened at around 8pm on Thursday.

The other fishermen was pulled from the water by another fishing boat.

Twenty fishing vessels were searching at the scene of the accident, five miles off the coast of St Abbs this morning.

A rescue helicopter from RAF Boulmer and lifeboats from Dunbar, Eyemouth and St Abbs were also helping with the search in winds of up to five knots.

Denis Clarke, North East chairman of the National Federation of Fishermen’s Organisations, said the Homeland was owned by someone from North Shields.

He said the information he had was that the missing fisherman was a 15-year-old boy who worked on the trawler.

“I heard about this at 3am so we are it is something we are currently working on,” he added.

Superintendent Peter Dade, of the North East Fisherman’s Mission charity, said: “As far as the fisherman’s mission is concerned this is a tragedy.

“It just goes to show the sea is a very dangerous place and this is what can happen.

“This is the sharp end of what we do and we don’t enjoy it, but we are always here to support fishermen and their families.”

People on the North Shields Fish Quay today also told of their concern for the missing fisherman.

One man, who didn’t wish to be named, said: “We have heard about this on the news and we believe it is a boat from North Shields. It’s very worrying to hear a fisherman has gone missing.

“We just hope he is found soon because his family and friends will be out of their minds with worry.”

The Fish Quay was quiet this morning as many of the trawlers were at sea and were not due to return until late this afternoon.

Messages were being broadcast to all ships requesting assistance at the scene of the collision.

It is believed the Homeland had travelled north to make the most of a plentiful fishing spot.

David McIntosh, who runs a bed and breakfast in St Abbs, said yesterday the search took place a mile from the shore.

He described seeing the lights from the vessels combing the area for the missing fisherman, but said he did not know who he was.

DFDS Seaways said the ship was chartered by Norfolkline from Italian firm Visentini.

The ship operates between Rosyth, Scotland, and Zeebrugge, Belgium.

A company spokesman said: “We are deeply concerned about this and there will now follow an investigation by the authorities which we will fully assist with.

“We have also been talking to Visentini who will investigate fully.”