MV European Causeway

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	P&O Ferries (2010 – present) P&O Irish Sea (2000–2010) [1]
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	IMO number: 9208394[1] MMSI number: 311027000 Callsign: C6RG7
Status	In service
General characteristics
Tonnage	20,646 GT[1]
Length	156.2 m (512 ft 6 in)[1]
Beam	23.4 m (76 ft 9 in)[1]
Draught	5.5 m (18 ft 1 in)[1]
Propulsion	4 x Wärtsilä 12V38[1]
Speed	23 knots (43 km/h; 26 mph)[1]
Capacity	410 passengers 375 cars[1]
Crew	55

European Causeway at Larne in 2023

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 27 April 2022, European Causeway suffered a complete power loss just off the coast of Larne. The Royal National Lifeboat Institution 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 two 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:-

• European Ambassador now, Stena Nordica. Built 2000.

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.

• European Highlander. Built 2002.

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