Statement from Brittany Ferries on cancellation of Pont-Aven sailings

Brittany Ferries would like to apologise to everyone who was due to travel on the Pont Aven on either 14 & 21 August 2004.  We deeply regret all of the inconvenience caused by the cancellations and we would like to thank everyone scheduled to travel for their patience and understanding.

Safety must always be our number one priority and once a problem with the ship was discovered the company had no option but to cancel the sailings.  The problem has now been resolved to the satisfaction of the relevant authorities and the ship has recommenced sailing on the Cork Roscoff route.

The fault was due to a failed seawater cooling valve which resulted in water entering the auxiliary engine compartment.  No passengers were on board when the water entered and there was no danger to either crew or ship.

Brittany Ferries staff in Cork and France made alternative travel arrangements for the passengers affected, directly with other ferry operators or by landbridge through the UK.  Passengers who did not wish to travel using these alternative arrangements have been fully refunded and ex gratia payments have been made to passengers for any inconvenience caused.

These were the first sailings that Brittany Ferries have had to cancel in over 10 years.

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For further information please contact:
Claire Guiney, WHPR @ 01 669 0030
claire.guiney@ogilvy.com

25 August 2004