KEY POINTS:
The closest Southampton Port's Brambles sandbank normally comes to catching anyone out is during the annual cricket match held on its surface by two rival sailing clubs.
But the sticky tidal mud patch in the middle of the Solent claimed an altogether bigger prize on Tuesday: the 70,000-tonne Queen Elizabeth 2.
The majestic vessel had been planning to make a dramatic entrance to Southampton at dawn, to mark its final visit to its home port before it sails for Dubai and a new life as a luxury floating hotel.
Unfortunately, the QE2's arrival was marked by drama of a slightly less regal kind when the ship ran aground on the sandbar and had to be towed free by a flotilla of tugs.
Passengers who had paid up to £28,000 ($74,800) for a berth on the venerable liner's last cruise described a violent jolt while breakfasting, as the ship partly beached itself on the Brambles at 5.26am (British time).
The QE2 was on its final approach to disgorge its 1700-strong human cargo, ahead of a day of formal farewell ceremonies, including a Remembrance Day fly-past to commemorate its role as a troopship during the Falklands War.
The vessel, which had been sailing in strong winds, was eventually freed by five tugs and a rising tide. It eventually arrived at berth 38/9, its normal quay at Southampton, just 15 minutes late.
The Marine Accident Investigation Branch said it was considering whether to launch a preliminary inquiry into the incident amid confusion over whether a trained pilot was on board.
Two divers from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency examined the hull as it sat in harbour but Cunard, the QE2's owner, insisted that the less-than-glorious entry of its one-time flagship would not prevent its departure on its final one-way voyage to Dubai.
After refurbishment, the liner will be berthed off the Palm Jumeirah, the largest man-made island in the world, as a hotel and museum.
A spokesman for Cunard, which sold the vessel for £50 million, said: "We are not aware of any damage to the vessel. We don't know exactly what happened for the vessel to get stuck. She touched a sandbank but with the tide rising she was able to get away."
Associated British Ports, which owns and runs the harbour, said it had launched an investigation with Cunard to establish who was in charge of the ship as it ran aground.
Geraldine Williams, 81, from Brockham in Surrey, had ascended to the dining room with her husband when the ship hit the sandbank.
"We were sitting having breakfast," said Mrs Williams, "and suddenly there was quite a violent shudder and it went aground. It must be symbolic; it doesn't want to go away."
- INDEPENDENT
