HM Coastguard sent Swanage and Poole Coastguard rescue teams and two RNLI lifeboats from Poole attended.
Two people on board the small boat which is described as a 22 foot privately owned shrimper were recovered onto the ferry without injuries. Poole RNLI lifeboat removed the vessel and towed it clear of the ferry, which was then able to resume operation. At the time of the incident the tide was going out and currents in the harbour mouth location are typically very strong.
It is unclear how the yacht became entangled with the ferry this afternoon and a report has been made to the Maritime Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB).
