Hundreds of passengers stranded at sea for 16 hours as storms batter ferries in ferocious seas and injured people are airlifted to safety By Simon Tomlinson and Wills Robinson Injured passengers had to be airlifted to safety off a ferry after it became stranded in ferocious seas on its way from Portsmouth to Bilbao, witnesses said today. The MV Cap Finistere had tried to enter the port of Brest in Brittany, Northern France, but the waters were too rough. Instead, the captain was forced to ride out the storm as waves battered the vessel before finally being able to dock more than 30 hours after leaving the UK. The drama came as nearly 1,000 passengers were left stranded in the English Channel for 16 hours on board another ferry because it was considered too dangerous to enter Dover harbour. Turbulent times: The Isle of Wight ferry struggles in rough seas which have caused havoc for journeys across the English Channel and down past the coast of France Worrying: The MV Cap Finistere (pictured in calmer waters) was stranded for several hours in rough seas off the coast of northern France because it was too dangerous to dock Speaking of her experience on the MV Cap Finistere, Catriona Koris, who was going to visit her parents-in-law in Portugal, told the BBC last night: "They couldn't get a port to take the ferry in. The ferry left Portsmouth at 10.30pm on Sunday before stopping briefly at Roscoff in northern France. After docking at Brest, the passengers were then reportedly told to make their own way 600 miles through France to Bilbao in northern Spain. This morning, Miss Koris tweeted: 'Thx 4 for abandoning us xmas eve, nth France, no refund, no ferries to UK, no-where to stay, 24hr drive from destination.' Chaos and confusion: Storm force winds have caused delays and cancellations on cross channel ferry routes from Dover, which left ferries stranded at sea until it was safe to enter the harbour She later said: '@BrittanyFerries Just found out you sent us out when violent storm force 11 was forecast!' Brittany Ferries said it would be offering £200 compensation to each passenger. Meanwhile, nearly 1,000 passengers were left stranded on P&O's Spirit of Britain in the English Channel for 16 hours as it was considered too dangerous to enter Dover harbour. Detailing the drama on Twitter, passenger Paul Woodbury said: 'Just made a very scary attempt to enter Dover harbour - aborted when the bridge recorded 70knot winds. Out to sea again... He later tweeted a picture of passengers sleeping on the floor, adding: 'Spirit of Britain is now a floating dormitory! Very bumpy; worst of weather expected soon. Many young children aboard. Feel for them & their parents - all so well behaved considering. Crew are exhausted yet superb He later told how the ferry was battered by 'massive waves'. The ferry was finally able to dock at around 7am. Mr Woodbury said: 'Incredible approach manoeuvring of ship into Dover in such atrocious conditions. Superb, skilled bridge team. In total awe #SpiritofBritain. The Port of Dover reopened at about 6.30am, but passengers were advised to check with their ferry operator before travelling.