Epsilon Ship Details and Seafarer Feedback

Irish Ferries has announced the suspension of all ferry services between Holyhead and Dublin aboard the 'Epsilon' due to ongoing technical difficulties. Over the past few days, the 'Epsilon' has been encountering operational challenges with its fast rescue boat, forcing the vessel to operate within a limited distance from the coast. This has significantly extended travel times, as the typical journey of 2 to 2.5 hours has stretched to nearly five hours. As a result, several trips have been delayed or cancelled altogether. Consequently, the company made the decision to halt the remaining sailings of the 'Epsilon' between these two ports, leaving only two vessels—'Ulysses' and 'Swift'—to handle crossings over the weekend of August 21/22, 2021. Overall, a total of eight ferry services were cancelled during this period, attributed primarily to the extended detours necessitated by the technical issues onboard the 'Epsilon'.

On December 20, 2019, at precisely 1:56 p.m., the CROSS Jobourg received an urgent call for assistance from the ferry 'Epsilon', which was navigating approximately five miles north of Cap de La Hague. The distress signal came after a 55-year-old Irish female passenger experienced severe chest pain. Following consultations with the Maritime Medical Consultation Center (CCMM) based in Toulouse and the Maritime Medical Coordination Service (SCMM) in Le Havre, a decision was reached to execute a medical evacuation. In response, a Cayman helicopter from the French Navy's base in Maupertus was dispatched, carrying a medical team from the Querqueville army medical center. By 2:34 p.m., the medical team had successfully hoisted onto the 'Epsilon' to conduct an initial medical assessment. The evacuation of the patient occurred at 3:06 p.m., and she was promptly transported to Cherbourg, arriving at 3:09 p.m. There, she received immediate medical attention from the fire and rescue center CODIS 50 and the SAMU 50, before being transferred to CHU Cherbourg for further treatment.

On September 24, 2017, a dramatic rescue unfolded as two Afghan migrants were airlifted from the ferry 'Epsilon' after being found in a state of hypothermia inside a refrigerated trailer. The incident occurred approximately 20 miles off the coast of Devon during the vessel's journey from Cherbourg to Dublin. Despite several security checks at the French port, the two stowaways managed to conceal themselves within the trailer located on the freight deck. Crew members were alerted to their presence when one of the men began banging on the trailer's interior to signal for help. Fortunately, a crew member responded quickly, opening the trailer to rescue the men inside. A Coast Guard helicopter swiftly transported the migrants to Plymouth hospital, where they were admitted to the emergency room around 7:30 p.m. Following their treatment, the two were handed over to the Border Police for further processing.