Ferry delayed as crippled ship is towed into port (From Western Telegraph)

Ferry delayed as crippled ship is towed into port

FERRY SERVICES between Pembroke Dock and Rosslare were delayed on Wednesday as a crippled ship was towed into the Milford Haven Waterway.

The 11,591 ton Norwegian registered car carrier, Autopremier, was on a voyage from Rosslare to Pasajes in Northern Spain when a fire started in the engine room, due to a broken fuel pipe.

Milford Haven Coastguards were contacted and the vessel reported the fire extinguished with expanding foam and the situation was being kept under observation from an adjacent area. No one was injured during the incident.

Milford Haven Coastguard watch manager, Andrew Hodgson, said: 'A further burst of foam had been required in the engine room as some smouldering was still taking place.'

A tug was despatched during the early hours of Wednesday to bring the vessel into port, and a Sea King helicopter from RAF Chivenor later flew firefighters from Haverfordwest to the ship at the request of Milford Haven Port Authority.

Fire Brigade divisional officer Dave Olyott and Station Officers Frank Amies and Ian Jenkins ensured the fire was out and remained on board until she was brought into port.

Irish Ferries' Isle of Inishmore, bound for Pembroke Dock, was delayed five miles outside the Haven at Wednesday lunchtime and passengers felt this all the more keenly, due to less-than-calm sea conditions. The departing 3 pm ferry service was also delayed by over 90 minutes as the car carrier was brought up the Haven.

A spokesperson for Irish Ferries said they were still feeling the effects on Thursday.

'It's been very difficult to catch up,' said the spokesperson. 'We've even lost traffic because of it.'

But Port Authority Harbour Master, Captain Mark Andrews, said the caution was for the safety of ferry passengers.

'Autopremier was without any significant power and, as a car carrier, it was fairly high up - acting almost like a sail. We couldnt be absolutely certain that we could allow the ferry to pass.'

Rough seas with winds gusting up to gale force eight made it a slow journey for the near-powerless vessel.

Autopremier eventually arrived at Pembroke Docks Carr Jetty early on Wednesday evening.