A mechanical error caused a lifeboat to run aground during a training exercise on Monday morning.
The MV Islander was alongside in St Peter Port Harbour, having arrived from Portsmouth earlier this morning, when crew took part in the routine training exercise.
The mechanical error occurred around 05:00 with the lifeboat drifting across the Harbour and grounding on the shingle beach at Cow Bay beneath Castle Cornet.
Guernsey Ports said no one was injured and no pollution was reported, and the situation was quickly rectified.
Initially, MV Islander deployed one of her fast rescue boats, but it couldn’t recover the lifeboat alone so the harbour workboat Sarnia was launched.
It successfully refloated the lifeboat at around 06:30, and it was returned safely on board the Islander.
While the situation was being resolved, the MV Islander was held alongside in St Peter Port, delaying its journey back to Portsmouth.
The Harbour Master worked with Brittany Ferries and others to come up with a mitigation plan so it could set sail again, which it did at 11:18, three hours later than scheduled.
A Brittany Ferries Guernsey spokesperson said that delay leaving Guernsey will have a knock on impact throughout today.
“We have worked closely with the Harbour Master and the Bahamas Maritime Authority to secure clearance for departure,” they said.
“The delay was just under three hours and passengers were kept updated throughout.
“There will be a knock-on to tonight’s service from Portsmouth to Guernsey, but we expect to be back on schedule tomorrow.
“We regret any inconvenience this may have caused.”