Rosslare-Cherbourg ferry forced to abandon approach with 500 on board
A ferry carrying over 500 passengers from Ireland to France had to abandon its approach to the port of Cherbourg last night due to heavy seas.
The boat, which left from Rosslare, made several attempts to dock with the assistance of tugs in winds of up to 100 kilometres an hour.
The Oscar Wilde will make a renewed attempt to dock at Cherbourg this morning after several aborted attempts last night.
The boat was five hours late reaching Cherbourg due to bad weather and despite the assistance of tugs could not dock safely and a decision to withdraw at anchor just off the port was taken.
One crew member suffered a broken leg during one of the failed attempts after a line snapped. He is still on board but a spokesperson for Irish Ferries says he is being well catered for on board.
It is believed two doctors are among the passenger manifest. Two school tours are also on board the ferry, but its not clear if they are from Irish or French schools.
A spokesperson says a renewed attempt to dock the boat will be made this morning and all passengers are being well catered for.
