Cross-channel ferry services have resumed today after striking workers used lifeboats to block ships from docking at the Port of Calais, disrupting journeys for thousands of passengers over the bank holiday weekend.
But holidaymakers, who were left stranded for hours in Dover and Calais yesterday, could still face delays after the protest by disgruntled former staff of the now dissolved MyFerryLink.
Ferry service operators P&O Ferries and DFDS Seaways both said services had resumed today but were still subject to delays.
Mayor of Calais Natacha Bouchart said the port had been taken "hostage" by the striking workers. It is hoped an agreement will be reached today over the dispute.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"> <p dir="ltr" lang="en">This is the lifeboat that's blocking Calais port <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Calais?src=hash" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-2924086-https://twitter.com/hashtag/Calais?src=hash" data-vars-event-id="c23">#Calais</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SkyNewsBreak" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-2924086-https://twitter.com/SkyNewsBreak" data-vars-event-id="c23">@SkyNewsBreak</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/SkyNews" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-2924086-https://twitter.com/SkyNews" data-vars-event-id="c23">@SkyNews</a> <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="http://t.co/DRiDNNMGxf" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-2924086-http://t.co/DRiDNNMGxf" data-vars-event-id="c23">pic.twitter.com/DRiDNNMGxf</a> — Gritty (@JamesGritt) <a rel="nofollow" target="_blank" href="https://twitter.com/JamesGritt/status/638123575027847168" class="body-link" data-vars-item-name="BL-2924086-https://twitter.com/JamesGritt/status/638123575027847168" data-vars-event-id="c23">August 30, 2015</a>
Nicholas Bernier, a passenger on a ferry heading to France, earlier told the BBC the service he was travelling on last night was stuck about two miles from Calais.
He said: "I'm roughly about two miles from the Port of Calais. We've got about three ferries standing still in front of us and what we were told is that the port is blocked by two lifeboats."
Richard Hill, who was in Calais, said his ferry was unable to leave the port.
He said: "Authorities are saying to the captain that they cannot sail past the lifeboats. We are stuck on the ferry along with 2,000 others, luckily we have a seat. The seating is very limited now and people are starting to get weary."
The workers were reportedly protesting over 600 potential job losses caused by the sale of a ferry service between Dover and Calais - MyFerryLink.
Former employees at MyFerryLink have also orchestrated wildcat strikes before this summer, causing delays and cancellations for British holidaymakers looking to cross the Channel.
The French prime minister, Manuel Valls, is due to visit the port today, on what is already one of the busiest days of the year because of the British bank holiday.
The strike action has also coincided with the growing migrant crisis in Calais, which has caused travel chaos all summer.
Additional reporting by the Press Association
