ACCIDENT investigators are today trying to establish whether an accident which destroyed part of Hythe pier could have been avoided.

They are examining whether the dredger which went off course and demolished an 80ft section of the pier, was seen before she smashed into the historic structure.

Two marine investigators will look at whether controllers at the Vessel Traffic Service Centre at Southampton's Dock Head - the most southerly point of the docks - could have seen the Fareham-based Donald Redford before the collision.

With court action a possibility, Southampton docks operator Associated British Ports was today remaining tight-lipped about the circumstances behind the incident.

A spokeman confirmed that the vessel had left the Supermarine jetty on the River Itchen and was heading out to the Nab Tower area to the east of the Isle of Wight to carry out dredging operations.

She added: "The matter is under investigation and, because of possible pending court action, we are unable to make any further comment."

Meanwhile, campaigners fighting a huge dock development at Dibden Bay have warned that the consequences of an accident involving a container ship could be catastrophic following the damage done to Hythe Pier.

After the dredger had gone off course and cut the massive hole in the pier, Residents Against Dibden Bay Port chairman Paul Vickers said: "If a dredger can do that, just imagine what a big container ship could do."

He said that if the Bay scheme between Marchwood and Hythe gets the go-ahead, it would mean big ships would be turning very close to the pier. A decision on the development is expected from Transport Secretary Alistair Darling next year.

As the probe into the incident continued, the ferry service paid tribute to the loyalty of its passengers.

Peter Lay, a director of the ferry operating company White Horse Ferries, said: "We are monitoring how we can reduce inconvenience to passengers. But we do have a very loyal customer base and those customers realise the difficulties and are tending to work with us. I have heard of no adverse reaction."