Dieppe's grounding position was 15m east of the channel centreline where, according to the latest edition of the locally produced chart, the master should have been able to expect sufficient depth to safely navigate the approach channel. However, the vessel had arrived at Newhaven 50 minutes late and the tidal height had reduced by 0.6m.

The master attempted to enter Newhaven with an under keel clearance (UKC) of 0.5m even though the port had a stipulated minimum UKC of 1.0m.

The harbourmaster in his risk assessment had identified the silting and required the UKC to be increased to 1.5m after bad weather until the channel could be re-surveyed, but the vessel's master was unaware of this.

After the incident, Newhaven Port and Properties Ltd (NPP) contracted Westminster Dredging to carry out a complete dredging operation of the main approach channel and inner harbour. This was completed by mid-January of this year but further bad weather in February again reduced soundings in the main channel. Westminster Dredging was contracted to carry out immediate spot dredging and the channel regained its 6.0m charted depth. In early March a survey of the harbour entrance showed depths back below 5.5m and Westminster Dredging returned again.

Assurances from NPP's managing director and the port manager have acknowledged the requirement for, and confirmed the implementation of, two complete dredges of the approach channel and inner harbour per year.

In response to the grounding, and the inability to take direct action against the port, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency imposed a prohibition notice on Dieppe. The notice was withdrawn when the MCA received evidence that NPP had put in place effective control measures to prevent a similar occurrence.

MJInformation No: 22132