Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham told the JEP that he was ‘currently gathering all the facts together’ after it emerged that the high-speed ferry was issued with a detention order earlier today.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency and the French Affaires Maritimes issued a detention order after it conducted a joint routine inspection on the fast ferry on Wednesday morning – the order means that until the issues identified are resolved and the repairs are complete, the ship is unable to sail.
In a statement the Maritime and Coastguard agency said: ‘Following a joint EU inspection by the Southampton Marine Office and French Affaires Maritime Port State control colleagues, the Condor Liberation has been detained at Poole after substantial deficiencies were observed by MCA inspectors.’
‘Following formal detention, the flag state and their recognised organisation are responsible for primary oversight and rectification of deficiencies. Once they are content, they will invite the Port State (MCA) to reattend to verify the same.’
