At that point three French fishermen boarded the Vertrouwen and spoke to the skipper.

BBC: Scots scallop boat 'attacked by French'

"About seven vessels came into very close quarters with the Vertrouwen and tried to stop it fishing, " he said.

BBC: Scots scallop boat 'attacked by French'

Mr Lochrane, skipper of the Vertrouwen, said he had to call his crew off the deck "as it was unsafe".

BBC: Fishermen 'attacked by French' call for navy's help

The Marine Management Organisation said the Vertrouwen was one of a number of UK vessels in the area at the time.

BBC: Scots scallop boat 'attacked by French'

Andy Scott, of Dumfries-based Scott Trawlers, said the crew of the scallop boat Vertrouwen had feared for its safety during the incident.

BBC: Scots scallop boat 'attacked by French'

He said the number of French boats then increased to about 30 and they tried to throw ropes and nets to snare the propeller on the Vertrouwen.

BBC: Scots scallop boat 'attacked by French'