Ferry Safety Warning After Crush On NI To Scotland Sailing

A safety warning has been issued to lorry drivers who remain in their vehicles while ferries are at sea, following an on-board crush on a ferry from Northern Ireland to Scotland last December.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) highlighted the dangers after it was found that at least six drivers stayed in their lorries during the incident on a P&O sailing between Larne and Cairnryan.

No-one was hurt during the incident, but one individual became trapped and had to be rescued by the emergency services.

The MAIB issued the following recommendations:

• While a ferry is at sea, the ro-ro decks should be occupied by only trained professional seafarers who are required to undertake safety and security patrols.

• Drivers who remain on the vehicle deck of ro-ro passenger ferries pose a danger to themselves and can cause delay in emergency response.

• Drivers who remain in their vehicle cabs could be in danger of asphyxiation by fire, or as a result of the fire suppression systems that may be released by ship's staff.



(JG/CM)