An Irish Ferries ship was forced to take shelter at sea as it crossed from France to Ireland during Storm Imogen. Pictures published show the damage done to the Epsilon as it was caught in winds that reached up to 105 knots.

Images Below) published by Afloat magazine show the extent of the destruction made to the cargo of the ship - estimated to have caused thousands of euro worth of damage.

Sailing from Cherbourg to Dublin on Sunday evening at 5.30pm, the 2011 ship was caught in winds of a constant 60 knots, and by gusts of up to 105 knots.

Afloat.ie reports one source, who observed the ship in the storm, as being possibly the "worst ever" crossing from France, going on to suggest it "was lucky the ship was not lost."

The Epsilon was forced to divert off its intended course, taking shelter at sea on waters off the coast of Devon.

The ship was due to arrive in Dublin on Monday morning, but was delayed until Tuesday.