P&O will probe ferry breakdown off Larne

P&O FERRIES has said a full investigation will be carried out after a vessel travelling between Cairnryan and Larne lost power off the Co Antrim coast.

The European Causeway, which can carry 410 passengers, was adrift five miles off the coast of Larne in the Irish Sea for more than an hour yesterday afternoon.

It left Cairnryan at about noon and was due to arrive at Larne

Harbour at 2pm but got into trouble at around 1.30pm.

It has since docked at Larne Harbour after regaining power. No injuries were reported.

P&O cancelled its later sailing from Larne to Cairnryan.

Earlier, the Marine Traffic website stated the vessel’s automatic identification system status had been set to “not under command” which is reserved for use when a vessel is “unable to manoeuvre”.