A ferry operated by ferry company DFDS has collided with the pier at Newhaven Harbour on Saturday, December 14.
Cote D’Albatre ferry is said to have struck East Pier and East Quay while exiting Newhaven Harbour in strong winds at around 10:30 am. The ship suffered some damage and returned to her berth. Cote D’Albatre was checked over and weathered the storm until 2:30 p.m. when she set off for France having had a 4,5-hour delay.
According to a spokesperson for the Newhaven Port Authority, strong winds caused the ferry to touch the east pier and "a little bit of damage was done."
The East Pier was closed until assessment and repairs are made on Monday, December 16.
The Newhaven-Dieppe 11:00 p.m. and Dieppe-Newhaven 5:30 a.m. departures were cancelled due to the Channel's adverse weather conditions.
Ferry company DFDS apologised for any inconvenience caused and said all customers would be contacted by their call centre.