Detained P&O Ferries' Pride of Kent had record number of deficiencies
A P&O Ferries vessel detained for six weeks was found to have a record number of deficiencies, according to new analysis.
Dirty working conditions, rescue boats not functioning and problems with fire safety systems were among 47 failures discovered on Pride of Kent by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA).
The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), an alliance of maritime authorities from 27 nations, including the UK, listed the deficiencies but only provided limited details.
Analysis found the examination of Pride of Kent uncovered the most failures of any of the 1,209 Port State Control inspections of ro-ro ferries - which vehicles can be driven on to and off from - within the Paris MOU in the past three years.
P&O Ferries was required to have most of its ships inspected after sacking nearly 800 seafarers on March 17 and replacing them with cheaper agency workers.
Pride of Kent was detained after failing an initial examination on March 28.
Thirteen of its 47 failures related to fire safety, including the fire detection system being “not as required”, a “lack of training” on fire drills and inadequate escape routes.
Ten areas of concern with labour conditions were highlighted, such as locations “not hygienic”, an issue with medical care and “unsafe” electrics.
The crew had a “lack of training” in how to navigate the ferry and a “lack of familiarity” with operating its machinery.
Fast rescue boats were “inoperative” and the provision of lifebuoys was “not as required”.
Pride of Kent failed two further inspections, before passing at the fourth attempt on Monday.
A P&O Ferries spokesman said: “We take the safety of our passengers and crew very seriously and look forward to all of our ships welcoming tourist passengers and freight customers again.
“We would like to thank the MCA for their continued engagement in assessing our ships to ensure they meet the highest safety standards.”
Pride of Kent will resume sailings between Dover and Calais “in the next two weeks”, the spokesman added.
The ferry was first launched in 1991 and can carry up to 2,000 passengers.
Politicians and trade unions raised concerns about the safety of P&O Ferries following the mass sackings.
These have been strongly disputed by the company.
Last week, chief executive Peter Hebblethwaite hit out at “misinformation” about the firm.
Measures aimed at ensuring seafarers are paid at least the UK’s national minimum wage were included in the Queen’s Speech on Tuesday.
The Government will introduce legislation banning ferries from docking at UK ports if they pay their workers below that level.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said the “disgraceful actions” of P&O Ferries “do not represent the principles of our world-leading maritime sector”.
The UK minimum wage for people aged 23 and above is £9.50 per hour.
P&O Ferries pays its new crew an average of £5.50 per hour, which it insists is in line with international maritime laws.
The operator has said it would “fully welcome” measures to increase pay for all seafarers in British waters as it wants “a level playing field”.
Irish Ferries, which also uses a low-cost labour model, began competing with the company on the Dover to Calais route in June 2021.
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