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
Name: European Causeway [1]
Owner: P&O Ferries [1]
Operator:
Port of registry: Nassau,  Bahamas [1]
Route: Cairnryan-Larne [1]
Ordered: 1998
Builder: Mitsubishi Heavy Industries
Yard number: 1065 [1]
Laid down: 1999
Launched: 20 March 2000 [1]
Completed: 2000
In service: August 2000
Identification:
Status: In service
General characteristics
Tonnage: 20,646 GT [1]
Length: 156.2 m (512.5 ft) [1]
Beam: 23.4 m (76.8 ft) [1]
Draught: 5.5 m (18.0 ft) [1]
Propulsion: 4 x Wärtsilä 12V38 [1]
Speed: 23 kn (42.6 km/h) [1]
Capacity:
  • 410 passengers
  • 375 cars [1]
Crew: 55

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]

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 (later Mostyn)-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. https://www.niferry.co.uk/european-causeway-and-european-highlander/
  3. "Lorries toppled after 'big dip' on Larne to Cairnryan ferry". BBC News. Retrieved 18 December 2018.
  4. "Cargo shift and damage to vehicles on board ro-ro passenger ferry European Causeway". RAIB. Retrieved 6 January 2021.


This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.