Panic & Outrage SOS

Stricken ferry left drifting off coast of Scotland just weeks after failing safety inspection

- TORCUIL CRICHTON

A P&O ferry was left drifting off the coast of Scotland yesterday after it lost power.

The European Causeway, owned by the rogue firm that sacked 800 experienced crew last month, failed a safety inspection four weeks ago.

PASSENGERS told of their panic after a P&O ferry lost power in the Irish Sea for more than an hour.

The huge European Causeway ferry, which failed a safety inspection a month ago, issued a “not under command" alert yesterday about five miles off Larne Harbour, Northern Ireland.

The ferry was involved in a dramatic rescue with RNLI lifeboats, coastguard helicopters, a passing cruise ship and tugs from Larne and Belfast to guide it back to port.

One passenger said: “I was panicking a wee bit. You're out in the middle of the ocean, there's not a lot you can do.

"The only good thing, it wasn't an aeroplane we were on.” Trade unions have demanded that the company should be stripped of its licence to operate.

The RMT union said the rogue company, which sacked 800 experienced crew last month, should lose permission to sail.