The “European Causeway”, a ferry operated by P&O Ferries, was sailing from Scotland to Northern Ireland when it lost power off the County Antrim coast.
The incident comes a few days after the announcement of the P&O Ferries that both the European Causeway and the European Highlander were back in service between Northern Ireland and Scotland.
According to the Maritime And Coastguard Agency (MCA) the ferry will have to stay docked until it is reviewed. As informed, MCA received an alert that the European Causeway was experiencing a “mechanical failure onboard.” The passengers said that the lights suddenly went out and the ship drifted to a stop 5 miles from the Irish coast. As disclosed, the European Causeway, which can carry up to 410 passengers, left Cairnryan on Tuesday and was due to arrive in Larne.
It is important to remind that the “European Causeway” had recently been cited for 31 deficiencies in an inspection by the MCA. For this reason, it was detained n March over several issues including an inability to deploy lifeboats and life rafts. However, the vessel was released from its detention on April 8.
On Tuesday afternoon, RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution) lifeboats were launched and tugs from Larne and Belfast were also deployed in order to help the ferry go back to port. What is more, Cunard Line’s cruise ship Queen Victoria was in the area and asked to standby. Passengers supplied the media with photos of the emergency response.
Two hours later, the vessel was able to again get underway. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), issued a brief statement calling the current incident “deeply concerning.”
We regret that due to a technical difficulty the 16:00 sailing is canceled
…said P&O Ferries on Twitter, cancelling also additional evening sailing. P&O Ferries offered alternate travel with competitor Stena for anyone booked on the canceled sailings.
In the meantime, along with the detention issues, unions are continuing to call for P&O Ferries boycott for allegedly paying below minimum wage. A few days ago,officials at the Port of Dover refused access to ITF inspectors who were present in order to investigate welfare issuesthat had been raised by replacement crew members on board P&O Ferries’ vessels in the port.
