High seas stop ferry sailing

Stena Line's high speed ferry, the Stena Explorer, was unable to sail yesterday because of high seas.

Stena Line's high speed ferry, the Stena Explorer, was unable to sail yesterday because of high seas.

The vessel can do the 55 mile journey from Dun Laoghaire to Holyhead in 99 minutes. However, until its chute evacuation equipment has been tested in rough seas it is forbidden to sail in weather with waves over metres.

A spokesman said it was hoped that the equipment could be tested in rough conditions in the North Sea this week.

The Stena Explorer has been bedevilled with problems. Its inaugural sailing was on April 10th but it missed four dead lines for its introduction on the Irish Sea.