Passenger ferry docks safely after engines fail
The Stena Line ferry, Stena Europe, was also planning to make a return journey to Wexford overnight if given the all-clear.
An investigation has been ordered after all four of the ship’s engines failed, leaving it drifting without power in rough seas and 50mph winds 16 miles from Tuskar Rock.
The incident sparked an all-vessels alert and the major marine emergency plan was instigated.
Irish Coastguard helicopters from Dublin and Waterford and lifeboats from Rosslare, Kilmore Quay and Arklow were dispatched to the scene while British authorities scrambled two Sea King helicopters and put an RAF Nimrod on standby.
At one point it was feared all 155 passengers and 65 crew would have to be airlifted off the deck. Alarmed passengers had to be reassured after hearing the helicopters overhead and seeing the lifeboats approach.
Engineers eventually restored power and the ship’s officers decided to carry on to Fishguard.
Stormy weather at Fishguard meant it had to divert to Pembroke, however, and it was due to make a return journey from there late last night. A second round-trip scheduled for last night had to be cancelled because of the delays.
The Stena Europe was due to leave Rosslare at 9am yesterday but weather delayed departure until after midday. It was less than 40 minutes out when help was called in.
The 22-year-old ship, which used to sail between Britain and Holland, was given a multi-million euro refit before starting work on the Rosslare-Fishguard route in March last year. It was taken off duty for a while earlier this month for routine maintenance.
Stena Line spokesman Eamon Hewitt said the ship had a technical difficulty which would be investigated but said the deployment of the marine rescue services was precautionary. “It was never drifting towards Tuskar Rock and there was no panic,” he said.
