A SCOT is among the crew of an American anti-piracy patrol boat who have been released on bail in India following a long battle since their vessel was detained almost six months ago.

Billy Irving, from Oban, was on the Seaman Guard Ohio which was detained on October 12 on charges including straying into Indian waters and carrying weapons without permission. There were six Britons on board but one, Paul Towers from Yorkshire, and the Ukrainian-born captain remain in jail because of their senior rank. Although they have finally got bail, all the men must stay in India while they continue the fight to have charges against them dropped. Their employer AdvanFort, a maritime security patrol specialist, has always insisted the men were working to provide protection to other ships from pirate attacks.