PRIDE OF KENT by ship spotter Kniesti
PRIDE OF KENT by ship spotter Kniesti
P&O Ferries PRIDE OF KENT has failed its third inspection by the MCA (Maritime and Coastguard Agency). According to the Paris MOU, the details of the inadequacies in the ship that led to the disqualification will not be released till the situation is resolved. However, the MCA has made a general statement in media interviews that they found issues with the crew being inadequately trained and unfamiliar with the vessel, safety issues, documentation, and malfunctions of emergency equipment.
The first detention order for the ship was issued on March 28th, and at P&O’s request, an inspection was carried out on April 13th, and the detention was sustained. Following this, the vessel failed another inspection on May 3rd. However, after nearly 7 weeks of inactivity, the company has resumed services on the Irish, North Sea, and the Dover Calais routes.
The challenges with the company began with its controversial move of firing 800 crewmembers without warning and replacing them with lower-paid contract agency workers that are paid less than 4 pounds an hour. The move has generated a lot of opposition from the government, trade unions, and the public. Transport Secretary Grant Shapps has instructed the MCA to inspect the vessels “with a fine-tooth comb”. Shapps has also announced that the legislation forcing ferry operators to pay the workers at least the minimum wage of 9.5 pounds an hour will be included in the Queen’s speech on May 10th.
