A fish farm was one of the casualties of the high winds and rough seas yesterday when the cargo vessel Carl C crashed into it, while several other ships were either delayed or unable to enter Grand Harbour, among them three cruise liners. The Carl C made it to Grand Harbour at about 7.30 p.m.

The 100-metre cargo ship was off Xrobb l-Għaġin carrying out engine repairs when it started dragging its two anchors and was swept onto two fish pens.

Two tugboats were dispatched to assist the ship and the army and civil protection department were placed on alert.

It was not immediately known how much damage, if any, was caused. Attempts to release the ship got underway in the morning and the pen was expected to be towed into harbour to assess the damage.

Port operations came to a standstill because pilots weren't boarding ships for safety reasons, leaving the cruise liners Costa Concordia and Grand Celebration waiting outside Grand Harbour for some time. Another, the Celebrity Century, cancelled its call.

The Malta Maritime Authority said another eight ships were unable to make harbour.

At the Freeport, cranes couldn't be operated because of the strong wind.

The police said no accidents as a result of the weather conditions were reported.

The Meteorological Office said the southeast wind at times became strong over exposed areas and later turned south to southwest as a trough of low pressure extended to the west.

Humidity was very high and the temperature moderate.

The wind will tomorrow blow at a moderate force four but will increase to force five on Sunday. Back to force four on Monday and Tuesday, it is forecast to rise to force six on Wednesday.