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      MCA pledges to inspect P&O Ferries vessels before they return to service

      19 March 2022

      Image:The Union is concerned that safety will be impaired with crews unfamiliar with the operation of the vessels. Image: Wikimedia Commons
      The Union is concerned that safety will be impaired with crews unfamiliar with the operation of the vessels. Image: Wikimedia Commons

      Nautilus International has recieved a response from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) regarding the safety of P&O Ferries vessels.

      The Union asked the MCA how it intends to ensure that IFM, a Maltese crewing agency established only in February, can operate P&O's ferries safely under the law after liquidating hundreds of experienced maritime professionals who are familiar with the vessels and the routes.

      'Prior to the P&O [Ferries] vessels entering back into service the MCA will undertake port state control inspections of all eight vessels,' a spokesperson for the MCA has told Nautilus.

      'The inspection will focus on operational drills (i.e. the ability of the crews to fight fire, muster passengers in the case of an emergency and evacuate a ship) and ensuring that personnel have received appropriate training and familiarisation in the tasks for which they have responsibility.'

      'P&O have engaged with the MCA and the teams at MCA have been briefed.'

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