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Pride of Kent

Pride of Kent

Pride of Kent
Photo: europe1.fr

The 180 meter long, 7550 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Kent ran aground at the port of Calais, France. The vessel was loaded with 208 passengers, 111 vehicles and 108 crew when it departed from the port of Calais bound for Dover. Conditions were poor with strong winds having gusts reach over 100 km/hour.  When the ferry maneuvered out of the port, it allided with against a foot bridge due to the strong winds. Undamaged, the Pride of Kent continued on its voyage. A few minutes later strong wind gusts again slammed the ferry.  Before the vessel could even leave the breakwater, the strong winds pushed the Pride of Kent off course and up onto a sandbank along the breakwater.

Authorities were alerted and three tugs were dispatched to the scene. The tugs tried multiple times to refloat the Pride of Kent, but the ferry refused to budge. Eventually after an hour of attempts, the Pride of Kent was pulled freed by the tugs and returned back to its berth. No reports of injuries.  Passengers disembarked and the port was closed until weather conditions improved. No reports of pollution released.

Pride of Canterbury

Pride of Canterbury

Pride of Canterbury
Photo: dailymail.co.uk

The 180 meter long, 7509 dwt ro-ro passenger ferry Pride of Canterbury caught fire off Calais, France. The Pride of Canterbury departed on a regular scheduled crossing of the English Channel with 337 passengers and 119 crew from Dover, England.  A fire broke out in the engine room releasing a dense black flume of toxic smoke. Passengers had difficulty breathing as ash fell on the deck. The sprinkler system was able to extinguish the blaze some 20 minutes later.  No reports of injuries to passengers or crew. The Pride of Canterbury was pulled from service to be inspected for damage.  Reports state the fire started in the vessel’s starboard engine.


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