The Victor Hugo alongside in Alderney yesterday. (Picture by James Varley, 0842475)

DIVERS inspected the Victor Hugo yesterday as the investigation began into what caused the vessel to hit rocks as it left Alderney.

Both propellers were damaged but the hull escaped intact, harbour authorities have confirmed.

The Manche Iles Express ferry reported difficulties in manoeuvring just before 8pm on Sunday. The captain said they were drifting onto the Blacksmith Shop rocks and requested immediate assistance.

An Alderney fishing vessel, the Katie C, established a line and attempted to tow the Victor Hugo clear. At 8.20pm, the Alderney lifeboat and Alderney pilot boat went to help get the vessel off the rocks.

The boat was towed to safety at 9.07pm and berthed alongside the Commercial Quay.

The boat will remain for a few days until an inspection by surveyors who are due in Alderney on Thursday.

‘The next stage is to get the Certification Authority across to inspect the vessel and that would then allow for her to be towed to Cherbourg for repairs,’ said harbour master Steve Shaw.

He said he had reported the incident to the chief executive of Guernsey’s Public Services Department.

‘He will determine if it warrants further investigation and, if so, what form it may take,’ he said.

Mr Shaw could not confirm why the ferry ran aground but admitted force five north-easterly gales contributed significantly to the accident.