P&O Ferries has suspended all of its passenger services between Dover and Calais this weekend.
The company apologised “unreservedly” to its customers and said it would offer them a 25% discount if they wanted to have their journey rebooked with another travel operator.
The cancellations affect journeys from Friday to Monday.
Image: P&O Ferries the Pride of Canterbury (L) and the Pride of Kent (R) moored at the Port of Dover“It is only fair and right that we make alternative arrangements for those customers, which include transferring them onto our Hull-Europort service to Rotterdam, or booking them onto services with Brittany Ferries between Portsmouth and Caen,” the company said.“Both of these options are at no extra cost to customers – if anyone chooses either of these alternatives we will reimburse them for any additional mileage expenses incurred and as well as all meals onboard our overnight crossing.”
“We also recognise that these options will not be suitable for everyone, therefore any customer who booked directly with P&O Ferries will be able to claim a full refund and a free trip for future travel.”
AdvertisementThe company rowed back from its statement yesterday in which it said customers would have to rebook their own journeys directly with another operator.
Second ferry detained by authorities after failed inspection
More on P&o Related Topics: P&OtravelIt comes after a second P&O ferry was further detained by the authorities following a failed inspection.
It emerged earlier on Wednesday that the Pride of Kent – first detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) last month – was being re-examined by safety officials at the company’s request.
However it was later confirmed that, like fellow Dover-based Spirit of Britain 24 hours earlier, Pride of Kent had not passed muster either.
The MCA said: “The Pride of Kent will remain detained following the reinspection of the ferry today which found a number of additional deficiencies including in safety systems and crew documentation.
“We have advised P&O to invite us back once they have addressed the issues. We do not know yet when this will be.”
Having one of the ferries back in service would have helped ease recent freight backlogs in Dover, largely caused by the absence of the three P&O vessels which also include the Pride of Canterbury.
She is yet to have her first inspection since the scandal broke.
4:04 Investigations opened into P&OP&O, universally condemned for its treatment of almost 800 seafarers who were sacked without notice last month, has new crews on all its vessels, though many roles are paid below the UK minimum wage – an issue the government has promised to resolve through new legislation.
Each P&O vessel must pass an inspection to return to sea.
To date only the Pride of Hull, which operates between Hull and Rotterdam, and European Causeway, that runs between Larne and Cairnryan, are the P&O vessels to have been allowed back to service.
It means there are six others facing checks under the Port State Control regime.