P&O Ferry adrift and ‘not under command’

P&O Ferry adrift and ‘not under command’

A substantially sized P&O vessel that operates between Larne and Cairnryan has become Adrift, reportedly in the Irish Sea.

Floataway ferry, the European Causeway, a vessel that can carry up to 410 passengers is currently located five miles from Larne Harbour.

The ship was due in Larne Harbour at 2 pm, with reports saying it left Cairnryan at around midday.

The RNLI was deployed as the vessel failed to arrive at its destination, it is understood the vessel lost power as it was embarking on its voyage.

The same vessel had failed safety inspections at the end of March but was cleared for travel two weeks ago.

A route tracking map appeared to show it veering off course and ‘bobbing around’ in the sea.

According to reports, its automatic identification system says it is not under command.

P&O Ferries has been forced to reverse an attempt to pay its new agency workers less money than they are already on.

The RMT Union said they received reports of agency workers being asked to sign contracts replacing their old ones with reduced payments.

P&O Ferries were then reported to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, which ensured the new workers retained their original wages.

P&O Ferries sacked almost 800 employees last month and brought in cheaper agency workers in an attempt to save the business.

Staff was alerted to the news via video message on the day of their sacking, prompting national outrage.

The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) said the firm was now trying to bring in an “exploitative model” with the “lowest possible standards they can get away with”.

According to the BBC, RMT said that a seafarer on the Spirit of Britain ferry at Dover had initially contacted the union for help in a dispute overpay.

Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said it was “good P&O have reversed [the] further attempt at a pay cut”, but added that “they must go much further and pay the minimum wage like all UK businesses”.

“We will legislate to force them, but they could win back some much-needed credibility by acting now.”

On Friday, the Spirit of Britain was cleared to resume sailing after inspections by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.

According to the regulator, the ferry had been held at the port since 12 April due to several unspecified deficiencies