Fog delays new ferry

HAZARDOUS thick fog caused long delays for the first crossings of Newhaven's second freight and passenger ferry this week.

On Monday and Tuesday the 17,000 tonne Transmanche ferry Dieppe was unable to dock in France at its scheduled 2am time due to bad weather.

Passengers had to wait for more than six hours while the fog cleared. It was so dense that a French fishing trawler crashed into the harbour wall at Dieppe, prior to the ferry's arrival on Monday.

Transmanche Newhaven operations manager Steve Forrest said: 'There were no problems at sea, it was quite calm. It was just the port was closed due to dense fog.'

The ferry was also delayed leaving Newhaven due to low tides.

However, business was continuing to grow on the cross-Channel route, said Mr Forrest. He added: 'We will have two ships on the run when the Sardinia Vera comes back from its refit in April which will be extremely good for customers.'