DFDS Transmanche has apologised after children were left “screaming” when pornography was accidentally shown on one of its ferries bound for Sussex. The incident occurred late last month on the route from Dieppe, France, to Newhaven, during a delay caused by a technical fault that forced the ferry to return to France.
The company said an “adult film” was mistakenly broadcast on the lounge television, where passengers had been watching the Formula One grand prix. A DFDS spokesperson explained that the crew were “not aware” of the content and acted quickly to switch channels once alerted.
DFDS added: “We are very sorry for the understandable upset and anger that this caused. It will not happen again.” The adult channel has now been removed from the ferry’s available television stations.
One passenger told the Argus newspaper in Brighton that the scene was “a bit mad – suddenly, kids were running out of the recliner lounge area screaming. Some parents came out and they were asking the staff to sort it out. They were saying, ‘There’s hardcore porn on the TV.’ I couldn’t see it myself, but it was audible.”
The ferry operator said it deeply regretted the incident and emphasised that measures have been taken to prevent a similar occurrence in the future.
