Ferry in trouble

GALE force winds forced the Transmanche ferry Dieppe to run aground on a sandbank as it departed Newhaven Harbour.

Guided by a tug, the ferry was reversing out of the harbour at 8am on Tuesday when a Force Eight blast stranded the vessel. The Dieppe, which sails the route alongside the Sardinia Vera, was carrying 74 passengers and 40 crew.

Transmanche Newhaven operations manager Steve Forrest said the ferry was stranded for half an hour. 'A strong south-westerly gust blew it on to the sandbank,' he added.

After 30 minutes the stricken ferry was manoeuvred to safety. It then underwent a check for damage and continued on its cross-Channel journey at around 10am.

As the drama unfolded the Newhaven lifeboat was on stand-by.