LAST UPDATE | 17 Oct

BRITTANY FERRIES HAS apologised to hundreds of passengers who are stuck on a ferry in the Port of Bilbao due to a “technical problem”.   

The Galicia ferry, which travels from Rosslare to Bilbao and is operated by Brittany Ferries, was due to sail at 4pm Irish time. 

However, the journey was abandoned because of a technical problem, which is understood to have affected one of the vessel’s engines. There are thought to be approximately 400 passengers onboard. 

One of the passengers, Breda Joy, told The Journal that those onboard have been told that they can remain on the vessel tonight, but they must disembark at 7am tomorrow. 

“They’re trying to fix one of the two engines, and they can’t give any guarantee when they’ll fix it, so some people are having to drive 12 hours to Brittany to get a ferry from there back to Ireland.”

She said passengers have been told that the ferry will act as a “floating hotel” for them tonight.

Hauliers were also due to sail to Rosslare on the ferry earlier this afternoon. 

Joy, who was holidaying with family in northern Spain, said the ferry staff are currently unable to give the passengers any further information. 

“I don’t know what help they’re getting from head office. The last announcement was the port of Bilbao will tell us tomorrow what our alternatives are.

“They could come tomorrow and say they’ve fixed the engine, but we don’t know. It’s the uncertainty of it, really.

“We’re just hoping for better news in the morning, and failing that, some direction on alternative routes home.”

Apology for disruption

In a statement to The Journal, a spokesperson for Brittany Ferries confirmed that the departure of the Galicia from Bilbao today “has been delayed due a technical problem on the ship”. 

“Brittany Ferries deeply apologises for this disruption, passengers were offered the option to stay on the ship overnight or to depart the ship with an update to follow in the morning,” the spokesperson said. 

“Passenger comfort and safety is a priority for Brittany Ferries and they will continue to ensure guests are kept up to date at all times. The Brittany Ferries team will be on hand in the morning to assist customers.”