May 16, 2023
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The incident happened a few days after the declaration of the P&O Ferries that both the European Highlander and European Causeway were back in service between Scotland and Northern Ireland. Per the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, better known as the MCA, the ferry will be docked until reviewed. MCA got the information that the European Causeway had been facing a mechanical failure.
The passengers mentioned that the lights had gone off all of a sudden and the ship drifted to a stop almost five miles from the Irish coast. As disclosed, the European Causeway can carry 410 passengers. On Tuesday, it had left Cairnryan and was due for arrival in Larne.
It is essential to remind that the “European Causeway” was cited recently for 31 deficiencies in an examination conducted by the MCA. This was why it had been detained in March due to several issues, including the inability to deploy life rafts and lifeboats. However, the vessel was released from detention on 8 April.
On Tuesday afternoon, Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI) lifeboats had been introduced and tugs from the Larne and Belfast were deployed to help the ferry go back to port. Queen Victoria, Cunard Line’s cruise ship was in the area and was asked to be on the standby. Passengers supplied media with images of emergency response.
Two hours after, the vessel was capable of going underway. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT), issued a statement that mentioned the incident as “deeply concerning.”
Reference: heraldscotland.com
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