DFDS has apologised after a pornographic film was mistakenly broadcast on a ferry from Dieppe, France, to Newhaven, Sussex, leaving children 'screaming'. The incident occurred when passengers who had been watching a Formula One grand prix were instead shown an adult film.
The ferry company said the broadcast happened during a delay caused by a technical fault at Newhaven port. A group of passengers had requested to watch the grand prix on the lounge television, but after the race ended, the adult film was played inadvertently.
DFDS stated that the crew was unaware the film was scheduled and changed the channel as soon as they were alerted. The channel has since been removed from the vessel's list of available stations. 'This will not happen again. We are very sorry for the understandable upset and anger that this caused,' a spokesperson said.
One passenger, who wished to remain anonymous, described the scene to the Argus newspaper: 'Suddenly, kids ran out of the recliner lounge area screaming. Some parents came out and they were asking the man who worked there to sort the TV out, they were saying: 'There's hardcore porn on the TV.'' The passenger added that a staff member turned off the television, calling the incident 'a bit mad'.
