Passengers flung from seats as ferry hits rock

Fog surrounded the vessel as it made its way to Herm. It was about three-quarters of the way across when, at 3.30pm, a loud collision was heard and felt, when it struck large rocks when the 1.4m tide was at its lowest point.

'All of a sudden there was this massive crash and one woman was thrown from her seat,' 26-year-old passenger Dan Noyon said.

'It was just so surreal and we looked at each other. Like, did that just happen.

'Your first thoughts are: Are we sinking? Are we going to drown? Are we going to have to swim for it?

'The fog was really bad and I could only see about four metres in front of me.'

Mr Noyon was due to perform at the Mermaid Tavern Real Ale & Cider Festival with his band, The Day Trippers.

He said shortly after the crash, the 16 passengers were asked by the crew of three to put on their lifejackets and a call for help was made.

The St Peter Port lifeboat was dispatched.The harbour workboat, Sarnia, made its way to the scene along with commercial and fishing vessels.

Although the Trident was not taking on water, the passengers were transferred to the Spirit of Guernsey as a precaution.

When it arrived in St Peter Port, they were met by all three emergency services and Civil Protection volunteers at the harbour.