Birkenhead ferry deep-cleaned after Covid-19 outbreak
Published
image captionPassengers spent the night on the Stena Edda ferry before disembarking in Birkenhead on Wednesday
A ferry stranded overnight because of a Covid-19 outbreak could be back in service later following a deep-clean.
A seventh has since tested positive, with all affected crew scheduled to leave the vessel on Thursday morning.
Stena Line said the ferry had been deep-cleaned but port officials still needed to clear it to resume service.
Paul Grant, trade director for Stena Line, said local health authorities had given us approval to depart at 22:00 GMT on Thursday, but the final decision rests with maritime authorities once replacement crew are onboard.
Passengers stranded overnight on ferry in Birkenhead after Covid-19 outbreak
A total of 322 passengers and 53 staff members were on the vessel as it remained in Merseyside
Updated
Don t miss a thing by getting the latest from the Manchester Evening News sent
direct to your inboxInvalid EmailSomething went wrong, please try again later.
Click here
When you subscribe we will use the information you provide to send you these newsletters. Sometimes they’ll include recommendations for other related newsletters or services we offer. OurPrivacy Noticeexplains more about how we use your data, and your rights. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Birkenhead ferry Covid-19 outbreak: Passengers stranded overnight
Published
More than 300 passengers were stranded on a ferry overnight after crew members tested positive for Covid-19.
The Belfast-bound Stena Line ferry was advised by Port Health Authorities not to leave Birkenhead after six members of staff were found to have coronavirus.
All 322 passengers have now disembarked and the 53 crew members are being tested for Covid-19.
Stena Line said passengers would travel to Belfast on another ferry.
Passenger Alan Cogan said he was waiting for the replacement Stena Mersey vessel to take him home to Northern Ireland, but the delay meant he had to cancel a work video conference meeting.