P&O pledges full investigation after ferry loses power in Irish Sea
The vessel has docked at Larne harbour escorted by three lifeboats.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.P&O Ferries has said a full investigation will be carried out after a vessel travelling between Cairnryan and Larne lost power off the Co Antrim coast.
The European Causeway, which can carry 410 passengers, was adrift five miles off the coast of Larne in the Irish Sea for more than an hour on Tuesday afternoon.
It left Cairnryan at about noon and was due to arrive at Larne Harbour at 2pm but got into trouble at around 1.30pm.
It has since docked at Larne harbour after regaining power. No injuries were reported.
P&O has cancelled its later sailing from Larne to Cairnryan.
Earlier, the Marine Traffic website stated the vessel’s automatic identification system status had been set to “not under command” which is reserved for use when a vessel is “unable to manoeuvre as required by these rules and is therefore unable to keep out of the way of another vessel”.
A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said it had been a temporary issue and the European Causeway had travelled to Larne “under its own propulsion”.
Three RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch this afternoon to assist a passenger ferry in difficulty one mile south east of The Maidens
The spokesperson said: “Following a temporary mechanical issue, the European Causeway is now continuing on its scheduled journey to the Port of Larne under its own propulsion, with local tugs on standby, where it will discharge its passengers and cargo as planned.
“There are no reported injuries on board and all the relevant authorities have been informed.
“Once in dock a full independent investigation will be undertaken.”
A RNLI spokesperson said that three lifeboats had been sent to the scene.
The spokesperson said: “Three RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch this afternoon to assist a passenger ferry in difficulty one mile south east of The Maidens. Larne RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched at 2.17pm while Red Bay RNLI’s all-weather lifeboat launched at 2.35pm followed by the inshore lifeboat at 3pm.
“The ferry gained power again and was escorted back into the Port of Larne by all three lifeboats which were then stood down.”
A coastguard helicopter was also tasked from Scotland and a cruise ship in the area was on standby in case assistance was needed.
The Rail, Maritime and Transport workers’ Union (RMT) said the incident was “deeply concerning, not least for the agency crew and passengers on board”.
This is the latest in a series of difficulties for P&O which was widely criticised when it sacked 800 workers in March without notice.
The European Causeway was then detained at Larne after an initial inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on March 25 uncovered 31 safety failings.
This was due to safety concerns after the sacked seafarers were replaced with cheaper agency workers.
The ship was cleared to resume serving the Larne-Cairnryan route a fortnight later following another examination.
Passenger Jonny Wilson was with his family on the ferry when the power went off.
He told the BBC: “The emergency lights go on. Different bits of the ship were dark.
“Slowly we came to a stop. They put the anchors down and we just sat there.”