Update 16.12.19 @ 9:15: At around 8am this morning, MISTRAL left Dublin for Zeebrugge. Her current ETA at the Belgian port is on the morning of 18.12.19.
Update 15.12.19: MISTRAL has now been towed to shore and discharged her cargo and passengers. She is currently at anchor awaiting further orders and appears to have been replaced on the Dublin – Liverpool schedule by CLIPPER PENNANT on a permanent basis. Unlike the ship she replaces, CLIPPER PENNANT was purpose-built for the Irish Sea freight trade. MISTRAL‘s charter to P&O Ferries had been due to end this month.
Having only just returned from charter to Canary Bridge Seaways in Spain, Seatruck Ferries CLIPPER PENNANT has been pressed into service for P&O Ferries. The Dublin – Liverpool Ro-Ro ferry MISTRAL has been at anchor in Dublin Bay since Thursday due to “technical difficulties”. There have been unconfirmed reports online that her single main engine has failed.
According to Dublin Live there are five HGV drivers onboard in addition to her crew and around 80 trailers. Adverse weather means that it has not yet been possible to tow her into port. MISTRAL left Liverpool on Thursday morning meaning those onboard have been so for three days now.
CLIPPER PENNANT has only just returned to the Irish Sea following a charter to Canary Bridge Seaways for their route linking the Canary Islands with Huelva on the Spanish mainland. Prior to this charter she sailed on Seatruck’s Irish Sea routes, including Warrenpoint – Heysham from which she was displaced by the return of SEATRUCK PERFORMANCE and SEATRUCK PRECISION from Stena Line.
