The team had to wait for the tide to rise, so that the vessel Elise could refloat.
It was secure on the quayside by 2pm this afternoon, a harbour spokesman confirmed.
A limited 300 metre long section of the harbour where the ships discharge – between the Red Footbridge and Littlehampton Marina – had to be closed for just over three hours across high tide between 10.30am and 1.45pm.
Most Popular
This decision was taken to ensure safety of other harbour users during the operation, the spokesman said.
The ship had drifted out into the river after one of its mooring lines parted in the early hours of the morning – read the original story here.
It became stuck in a diagonal position across the river in scenes reminiscent of the recent situation in the Suez Canal, where the giant ship Ever Given became stranded.
