The company, which was convicted worldwide of treating nearly 800 seafarers who were fired without warning last month, had planned the new crew of Spirit of Britain to start crossing on Good Friday. Such a move would possibly allow the company to support the effort to clear freight delays, which were mainly caused by the absence of its three Dover-based ships and its Easter holidaymakers in France. Image: Truck queues at Dover Harbor on Tuesday However, after a two-day Spirit of Britain re-inspection by the Shipping and Coast Guard (MCA), it was confirmed that it had failed some basic safety tests and was deemed unfit for evacuation at sea. A spokesman said: “Spirit of Britain has been taken into custody by inspectors who have identified a number of deficiencies that led to the detention. “We have advised P&O to invite us back as soon as the issues are resolved. We do not yet know when this will happen.” It is unclear whether the MCA planned to inspect Pride of Canterbury or Pride of Kent immediately, which also sail the Dover-Calais route at normal times. The Pride of Hull, which operates between Hull and Rotterdam, and the European Causeway, which operates between Larne and Cairnryan, are the only two P&O vessels re-inspected and allowed to return to service. The Pride of Kent remains in custody while the rest have not yet been inspected. P&O Ferries has not yet commented. Image: Exercises performed using safety tubes and life rafts by Spirit of Britain last month The dismissal scandal has proved a thorn in the side of the government, which has pushed for action against the company. However, the P&O fleet needs to return to service to reduce queues in Dover. The Ministry of Transport’s plans to prevent a recurrence of the epic – which include giving port authorities the power to prevent ships from sailing if owners violate minimum wage rules – have also met with backlash.

title: “P O Ferries Hopes Of Dover Crossings From Good Friday In Doubt As Ship Detained After Inspection Business News " ShowToc: true date: “2022-11-14” author: “Theresa Trimble”

The company, which was convicted worldwide of treating nearly 800 seafarers who were fired without warning last month, had planned the new crew of Spirit of Britain to start crossing on Good Friday. Such a move would possibly allow the company to support the effort to clear freight delays, which were mainly caused by the absence of its three Dover-based ships and its Easter holidaymakers in France. Image: Truck queues at Dover Harbor on Tuesday However, after a two-day Spirit of Britain re-inspection by the Shipping and Coast Guard (MCA), it was confirmed that it had failed some basic safety tests and was deemed unfit for evacuation at sea. A spokesman said: “Spirit of Britain has been taken into custody by inspectors who have identified a number of deficiencies that led to the detention. “We have advised P&O to invite us back as soon as the issues are resolved. We do not yet know when this will happen.” It is unclear whether the MCA planned to inspect Pride of Canterbury or Pride of Kent immediately, which also sail the Dover-Calais route at normal times. The Pride of Hull, which operates between Hull and Rotterdam, and the European Causeway, which operates between Larne and Cairnryan, are the only two P&O vessels re-inspected and allowed to return to service. The Pride of Kent remains in custody while the rest have not yet been inspected. P&O Ferries has not yet commented. Image: Exercises performed using safety tubes and life rafts by Spirit of Britain last month The dismissal scandal has proved a thorn in the side of the government, which has pushed for action against the company. However, the P&O fleet needs to return to service to reduce queues in Dover. The Ministry of Transport’s plans to prevent a recurrence of the epic – which include giving port authorities the power to prevent ships from sailing if owners violate minimum wage rules – have also met with backlash.