MV European Causeway

The MV European Causeway is a ferry operated by P&O Ferries. She was built at Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Shimonoseki shipyard in Japan.[1]

The European Causeway
History
NameEuropean Causeway [1]
Owner P&O Ferries[1]
Operator
Port of registryNassau,  Bahamas [1]
RouteCairnryan-Larne[1]
Ordered1998
BuilderMitsubishi Heavy Industries
Yard number1065 [1]
Laid down1999
Launched20 March 2000 [1]
Completed2000
In serviceAugust 2000
Identification
StatusIn service
General characteristics
Tonnage20,646 GT [1]
Length156.2 m (512.5 ft) [1]
Beam23.4 m (76.8 ft) [1]
Draught5.5 m (18.0 ft) [1]
Propulsion4 x Wärtsilä 12V38 [1]
Speed23 kn (42.6 km/h) [1]
Capacity
  • 410 passengers
  • 375 cars [1]
Crew55
European Causeway arriving into Larne.
European Causeway 2023 in Larne

History

European Causeway entered service in August 2000 replacing the Pride of Rathlin.[2] She was specially designed for the Cairnryan-Larne route and has not operated in service away from this route only straying for refit periods.

Incidents

On 18 December 2018, European Causeway was involved in an incident in extreme weather conditions. After what was described as a "big dip", several lorries toppled sideways causing damage to other vehicles on the car deck. No injuries were reported.[3] The Marine Accident Investigation Branch carried out an investigation. It was concluded that:

  • The route being followed had not been adjusted sufficiently to mitigate the effects of the sea conditions and reduce the likelihood of severe rolling.
  • The cargo lashings applied were insufficient for the forecasted weather conditions and the ship’s approved cargo securing manual provided limited guidance to ship’s staff.
  • Drivers remaining in their vehicles during the ferry’s passage, in contravention of international regulations and company policy, was not uncommon and is an industry-wide issue.[4]

In March 2022, the vessel was detained at Larne by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, due to "failures on crew familiarisation, vessel documentation and crew training", after a new crew was installed, following P&O sacking 800 staff.[5]

On the 27th of April 2022, European Causeway suffered a complete power loss just off the coast of Larne. The RNLI dispatched three lifeboats to the vessel's location, a coastguard helicopter was dispatched and the Queen Victoria stood by to assist if required. The ship recovered power after roughly 2 hours adrift and continued the voyage to Larne under her own power, escorted by the lifeboats.[6]

Sister Ships

European Causeway does not have an exact sister however P&O ordered two further vessels based on her design:-

Enlarged version built for P&O Irish Sea's Liverpool-Dublin service. Differences include more powerful engines for higher service speed, full bow ramp for landing on linkspans, large stern ramp, passenger cabins, club lounge and revised crew facilities.
Enlarged version built for P&O Irish Sea as a partner to the European Causeway. Differences include minor revisions to the passenger deck layout, additional passenger lifts and the use of larger lifeboats rather than Marine evacuation systems

References
  1. "M/F European Causeway". Ferry-site.dk. Retrieved 21 June 2010.
  2. "EUROPEAN CAUSEWAY and EUROPEAN HIGHLANDER (Vessel Profile)". 9 September 2019.
  3. "Lorries toppled after 'big dip' on Larne to Cairnryan ferry". BBC News. 18 December 2018. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  4. "Cargo shift and damage to vehicles on board ro-ro passenger ferry European Causeway". Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB). Retrieved 6 January 2021.
  5. "P&O Ferries ship detained over crew training concerns". BBC News. 26 March 2022. Retrieved 26 March 2022.
  6. Meighan, Craig. "P&O ferry European Causeway travelling from Cairnryan loses power near Larne". The National. Retrieved 5 May 2022.
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