The Brittany Ferries vessel Quiberon became stranded on a sandback just 15 minutes after leaving port on an overnight sailing to the French port of Roscoff.

It was delayed for more than 13 hours in what the company has described as an "extremely embarrasing" incident.

One hundred of the passengers who were on a 24-hour mini-cruise chose not to continue their trip.

They were given a full refund and will get a free trip later in the year. More than 150 did sail on the delayed crossing, and also received a full refund

The ferry was stranded on the underwater bank the Melampus Shoal in Plymouth Sound, for more than an hour.

Brixham coastguards raised the alarm just before midnight on Wednesday and within minutes the 12,000 tonnes ship was listing dangerously.

Pulled free

The ferry was stuck on the sandbank until a tug called the Faithless managed to pull her free on a second attempt.

She was towed back into Millbay Docks where she was being examined for damage on Thursday morning.

None of the 271 passengers or 73 crew was injured

No danger

Britanny Ferries spokesman Toby Oliver described the incident, which happened during low tide, as "very minor".

"At no time were the passengers, who were kept fully informed by the captain and crew, in any danger", he said.

Mr Oliver said the ferry's captain did not notify coastguards for more than half an hour because he was busy with other safety measures. But he said he believed the captain had acted correctly.

Investigation

An investigation into the incident will be carried out by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

It is the second time this winter a Britanny Ferries ship has been involved in an accident at Plymouth.

Last year the Val de Loire drifted onto a concrete jetty after losing power.