Crew Reviews, Ratings & Info for Oscar-Wilde

Late on May 4 at approximately 11 p.m., crew members aboard the Spirit of Britain made a startling discovery while navigating their route. They spotted a damaged wooden boat, indicative of a possible collision, along with what appeared to be an individual in the water. In response to this urgent situation, the ferry promptly reduced its speed to assess the circumstances at hand. Alongside the ferry’s vigilance, the Dover lifeboat was dispatched to further investigate the distressed vessel. Fortunately, after a thorough evaluation, it was determined that no further action was necessary from the Spirit of Britain. After a significant amount of time spent ensuring safety protocols, the ferry ultimately resumed its voyage without incident.

On April 22, members of the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport Union) boarded the 'Spirit of Britain', a prominent P&O Ferries vessel, to engage in discussions with seafarers following previous access denials. P&O Ferries initially attempted to limit their engagement by offering a meeting room at the port. However, the RMT rejected this as per the ISPS Code, which outlines vital security measures for ships and port facilities. Once granted access, union representatives were escorted to a newly designated pet lounge on the ferry, allowing them direct conversations with recently recruited crew members. The RMT learned about widespread grievances among the diverse workforce on board, particularly concerning pay. The union revealed that P&O Ferries had hired individuals on short-term contracts—some lasting as little as a month—only to inform them later that they would need to accept reduced wage rates to continue their employment. Additionally, some crew members were working on four-month contracts under similar reduced pay conditions, raising serious concerns about safety standards as P&O appeared to prioritize cost-cutting. In response to the union's complaints, the Maritime and Coastguard Authority (MCA) intervened, resulting in the amendment of affected seafarers' contracts and the reinstatement of their original wages.

On April 26, 2023, at 7:50 a.m., the P&O ferry 'Spirit of Britain' resumed its operations from Dover, following a four-day clearance granted by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) on April 22. This approval comes after the vessel’s detention on April 11, which revealed a concerning total of 23 deficiencies, six of which were serious enough to warrant the vessel's detention. The inspection findings highlighted pivotal issues such as inadequate crew training and maintenance concerns regarding fast rescue boats. Additionally, the vessel was found to have non-operational oil filtering equipment, inadequately sealed fire doors, and several problems with fire dampers. In a contrasting scenario, the ferry 'Pride of Kent,' which also serves the same route, remains under detention, further escalating tensions within the maritime community. The National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers (RMT) has urged a boycott of all ferry operations, demanding the reinstatement of crew members who were recently laid off. Adding to the discontent, the RMT filed new charges against P&O after union inspectors were barred from boarding the vessels at the Port of Dover. Reports surfaced indicating that P&O has attempted to lower the wages of agency workers, which were already at reduced rates compared to their previously employed counterparts.