An investigation has been launched after a Manx-registered oil tanker collided with a fishing vessel.

The Irish trawler the Bridget Carmel was struck by the Ocean Lady, 20 miles from the Welsh coast in the early hours of yesterday (Monday) morning.

The incident happened at 3am and sparked a major alert.

The tanker, which was carrying oil to Milford Haven from Rotterdam, struck a glancing blow to the fishing boat, damaging one of its trawling beams.

Lifeboats from Ireland and Wales were sent to the scene after the fishermen raised the alarm.

Nobody was injured and the trawler eventually arrived safely at its home port of Wicklow later on yesterday.

The incident has been reported to the United Kingdom's Marine Accident Investigation Branch, which will look into the circumstances.

According to reports in the Irish press, the trawler's crew were shaken but unharmed by their ordeal.