Portsmouth firm's ferry detained over safety fears following inspection

Condor Ferries, which has an operation in Portsmouth, has been told the Condor Liberation cannot leave Poole because of ‘substantial deficiencies’.

Faults in the propulsion and steering systems were found on Wednesday following a routine inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Affairs Maritimes.

In a statement, Condor Ferries said: ‘Yesterday’s routine annual inspection of Condor Liberation by the MCA and Affaires Maritimes coincided with planned repair and maintenance to the propulsion and steering systems on a non-sailing day.

‘Consequently, the MCA found that until these systems were back in working order, the ship would be subject to a Detention Order.

‘As is usual, a number of other matters were identified during the inspection, all of which will also be rectified before the ship returns to service.’

Once the repairs are complete the ship will have to be reinspected before it can set off this weekend.