P&O ferry left adrift off Irish coast with up to 410 passengers aboard

A P&O ferry travelling between Cairnryan and Larne was left adrift off the Co Antrim coast.

The European Causeway was lower off 5 miles off the coast of Larne, based on monitoring web site Marine Site visitors.

The vessel is ready to carry as much as 410 passengers, nevertheless it has not been revealed what number of are onboard the ship.

The web site said the vessel’s computerized identification system standing is about to “not beneath command” which is reserved to be used when a vessel is “unable to manoeuvre as required by these guidelines and is subsequently unable to maintain out of the best way of one other vessel”.

A spokesperson for the RNLI mentioned that three lifeboats had been despatched to the scene.

Gareth Fuller

The vessel is alleged to have been hit by a 'mechanical challenge.'

Gareth Fuller

An RNLI spokesperson mentioned three lifeboats had been despatched to the scene.

P&O mentioned that the European Causeway had been affected by a “mechanical challenge”.

The corporate tweeted: “As a result of a mechanical challenge with the Causeway within the Irish Sea, tugs from Larne and Belfast have been deployed to information it again to port.

“As soon as the ship is again in Port a full inspection will happen".

A spokesperson for P&O Ferries mentioned the European Causeway was now travelling to Larne “beneath its personal propulsion”.

The spokesperson mentioned: “Following a brief mechanical challenge, the European Causeway is now persevering with on its scheduled journey to the Port of Larne beneath its personal propulsion, with native tugs on standby, the place it'll discharge its passengers and cargo as deliberate.

“There aren't any reported accidents onboard and all of the related authorities have been knowledgeable.

“As soon as in dock, a full impartial investigation will likely be undertaken."