The passenger Ro-Ro ferry Commodore Clipper (IMO 9201750) broke free from its moorings in the French port of Le Havre on October 23, 2026, during severe weather associated with Storm Austen.

The incident occurred at around 10:15 local time while the vessel was alongside in the inner harbour.

Strong wind gusts caused one of Commodore Clipper’s forward mooring lines to part.

After the line failed, the ferry began to swing away from the berth and drift across Bassin Bellot.

During the uncontrolled movement, the stern of the vessel struck the quay.

HAROPA Port immediately launched an emergency response.

Tugs, including VB Longchamp and VB Guardian 19, were sent to assist the ferry, stabilise the vessel and bring it safely back alongside.

According to Brittany Ferries, no injuries were reported.

The company also said there was no indication of water ingress into the hull.

At the time of the incident, Commodore Clipper was not carrying cargo.

The vessel had already been in Le Havre for around a month due to a technical problem involving its gearbox.

The fault had previously forced Brittany Ferries to end the vessel’s seasonal Le Havre–Portsmouth service earlier than planned.

Northern France was affected by Storm Austen on October 23.

Coastal areas of Normandy were forecast to experience wind gusts of up to 130 km/h, prompting elevated weather warnings.

Brittany Ferries said an investigation would be carried out to determine the exact cause of the mooring failure and whether additional precautions could have prevented the vessel from drifting.

Commodore Clipper is a passenger Ro-Ro ferry measuring 129.14 metres in length and approximately 23.4 metres in beam. The vessel has a deadweight of 4,504 tonnes and a gross tonnage of 14,000 GT. It was built in the Netherlands in 1999 and sails under the flag of the Bahamas.

Commodore Clipper has also been involved in previous incidents.

On June 16, 2010, a fire broke out on the vessel’s main vehicle deck while it was sailing through the English Channel toward Portsmouth.

An investigation by the UK Marine Accident Investigation Branch found that the fire originated in the area of a refrigerated semi-trailer. No injuries were reported in that incident.

Following the October 23, 2026 event in Le Havre, Commodore Clipper was successfully brought back under control with the assistance of the crew, port authorities and tugs.

Despite the severe weather and loss of moorings, there were no reports of injuries, serious hull damage or water ingress.