P&O Ferries Face Safety Crisis After Mass Staff Sacking
The Pride of Kent is one of eight P&O ships now stuck in limbo, held up for inspections after the firm axed 800 staff in a brutal shake-up.
Agency Workers Replacing Fired Staff
P&O ditched permanent staff and brought in cheaper agency workers, reportedly paid below minimum wage. The government has promised to block these cost-cutting moves, warning safety must come first.
More Ferries Declared ‘Unfit to Sail’
Just last week, another P&O vessel, the European Causeway, failed a critical safety inspection in Larne. The ferry was detained because of problems with crew training, paperwork, and familiarisation procedures.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) is now inspecting the Pride of Kent to confirm it’s seaworthy without passengers or cargo. A spokesperson said:
“Our surveyors are in the process of detaining the Pride of Kent. We are awaiting confirmation of all the detainable items.”
Union and Government React
The RMT union slammed P&O’s handling, saying:
“It’s rare enough for the MCA to impound a ferry but P&O have now had two in a week after the jobs carve-up which speaks volumes about the dire state of their operation.”
Meanwhile, Transport Secretary Grant Shapps reassured the public with a tweet, insisting “safety would not be compromised.”
P&O Ferries have yet to comment on the ongoing safety concerns.
