P&O ferry undergoes its fourth inspection

A P&O Ferries vessel is being examined for a fourth time, after failing three inspections since the operator sacked nearly 800 seafarers.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said a team of surveyors are reinspecting the detained ferry Pride of Kent “at the request of P&O Ferries”.

P&O Ferries suspended most of its operations after it replaced 786 crew members with cheaper agency workers on March 17. The inability of Pride of Kent to pass a safety inspection has contributed to a shortage of capacity between

Dover and Calais.

P&O Ferries finally resumed tourist sailings last week but is only able to use one of its ships, Spirit of Britain, which was cleared to sail after an initial probe found 23 failings.

Two other vessels which normally operate between Dover and Calais - Pride of Canterbury and Spirit of France – remain out of action as they have not been inspected. Politicians and trade unions have raised concerns about the safety of P&O Ferries following the mass sackings. These have been strongly disputed by the company.