THE eyes of the world were cast to the Suez Canal last week when the 400-metre long Ever Given container ship became wedged across the waterway for several days.

However, Sussex stole some of the Suez spotlight yesterday as the county endured its own cargo ship conundrum.

The 80-metre Elise became stuck diagonally across the River Arun, at the entrance to Littlehampton Harbour, in the early hours.

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

Harbour staff have today provided an update saying the vessel is set to depart shortly after 2pm today after a 10-hour operation to straighten the boat proved successful.

The Elise entered the harbour at 1.15am yesterday carrying a 2,600 tonne cargo of stone to be used in the construction of roads. It had transported this load from Antwerp in Belgium.

It was moored and the roadstone was unloaded shortly before 2am. The tide fell and the Elise came to rest on the mud berth on the river bed, however harbour staff say that one of her mooring lines "parted" at about 3.30am.

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

This caused the stern of the boat to swing out about 30 metres into the river.

The Littlehampton Harbour tugboat, called Erica, was dispatched to make sure the boat was stable and safely grounded.

"The channel was not blocked to other craft at this time," harbour staff say.

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

Then, as the tide came in at 10.30am, the major operation to move the Elise back into position.

A 300-metre section of the harbour between the Red Footbridge and Littlehampton Marina, usually used for unloading ships, had to be closed until 1.45pm amid the efforts to straighten up the cargo ship.

A harbour spokesman said: "During this period two small commercial fishing vessels were delayed by approximately two hours in their return to their moorings with their day’s catch.

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

"A small number of leisure vessels moored at Littlehampton Marina or further up the River Arun were also delayed in their day’s trip out to sea by up to 3 hours.

"We would like to thank all those who were delayed in their use of this part of the harbour for their cooperation as well as all those involved in the operation to move the vessel back to berth."

Following the successful operation, Littlehampton Harbour confirmed that the Elise would be departing today.

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

Littlehampton Harbour has provided an update on the cargo ship Elise which became stuck diagonally accross the River Arun yesterday morning, causing many people to make comparisons with the Suez Canal incident Credit: Eddie Mitchell

In a statement issued this morning, a harbour spokesman said: "The Elise departs the harbour shortly before 2pm today.

"As usual, a short closure of up to 30mins will be announced via VHF71 as she is turned around at the turning basin just up-river of the Red Bridge and departs the harbour."