News

All passengers and crew evacuated safely from Fishguard ferry following engine fire

Published

3 years ago

February 12, 2023

EIGHTY EIGHT passengers and fifty nine crew members were all evacuated safely, following a blaze on the Rosslare or Fishguard ferry on Saturday night (Feb 12)

The Stena Europe suffered an engine room fire, which broke out just after 2200 HRS off Strumble Head, leading to passengers being mustered with lifejackets, and being told they may have to abandon ship into lifeboats.

However, with the assistance of tug boats, the ferry 43-year-old ferry was able to make it into Fishguard Harbour, where twenty emergency vehicles had been dispatched to assist with the rescue.

Helicopters from HM Coastguard and the Wales Air Ambulance were sent to the scene.

RNLI lifeboats were launched from New Quay and St Davids to stand by.

Experienced sailor Stephen Kearney and his partner Julia were on board the 150m vessel and explained that the fire was serious, the ferry was filling with smoke, and that they were expecting to abandon ship.

Stephen told The Pembrokeshire Herald: “There was an announcement to the crew, advising it was not a drill and they should take up positions.

“Smoke began to circulate and I could see a lot of smoke from the funnel.

“Life jackets were issued and crew members assisted passengers with them.

“People were understandably nervous, but very calm and were looking out for each other.

“It was clearly a very serious situation and I was preparing to spend time in the lifeboats.

“Luckily the fire was extinguished by a very professional crew, and that was not necessary

“The Stena staff were obviously very well drilled – and took all appropriate action which included issuing water and supporting people who were frightened.

Stephen added: “The staff actually were fantastic and interestingly, honest about the situation.

“I’m a sailor, trained in sea survival so I knew how bad this could have got.

Stephen said that in his opinion the weather played a part in helping to get the situation under control. He said: “In fact, if we had been in very windy weather, or heavy seas, you would be reporting a very different and harrowing story.

“We were all preparing to abandon ship, as the ship was filling with smoke.

“Luckily the fire was extinguished

“It was really serious,” he said – adding: “Crew were brilliant

“Julia and I are both sailors so we identified ourselves to take responsibility as necessary

“This was no little incident,” he said.

On leaving the ferry passengers witnessed a sea of blue flashing lights from the assembly of emergency vehicles from the police, ambulance and fire brigade.

By just after 11pm, firefighters were spraying water down one of the funnels to dampen down the fire on board.

Ferry operator Stena Line issued a statement on Sunday.

Despite the huge emergency services response to the incident they downplayed the incident, saying it was a small fire and that the damage was relatively minor.

A spokesperson for the company said: “At approximately 22:00 last night the Stena Europe was on route to Fishguard from Rosslare, when the crew were alerted to a small fire on one of the ship’s engines.

“The Crew immediately initiated the ship’s safety protocols to ensure safety of passengers and crew before quickly extinguish the fire without further support or incident.

“A short delay incurred whilst the area was made secure before continuing on passage to Fishguard arriving 30 minutes behind schedule.

“There were 88 passengers and 59 crew onboard.

“There were no injuries and all those onboard were disembarked safely.

“Damage to the vessel is minimal. It is now being removed from service while we undertake a thorough investigation as to cause of the incident, which will be undertaken in partnership with the maritime regulatory authorities.

“We would like to thank the local Welsh ambulance, fire and lifeboat services who deployed significant numbers of their resources as a precaution.

“We are sorry for any distress and inconvenience this has caused to our passengers.

“We have reached an agreement with Irish Ferries that all those booked to sail with us will be transferred to their Pembroke sailing.

“Or can be transferred to an alternative Stena Line sailing at a different port.

“Further updates on the vessel and sailings will be issued in due course.”

Business

First wind turbine components arrive as LNG project moves ahead

Published

39 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

THE FIRST ship carrying major components for Dragon LNG’s new onshore wind turbines docked at Pembroke Port yesterday afternoon, marking the start of physical deliveries for the multi-million-pound renewable energy project.

The Maltese-registered general cargo vessel Peak Bergen berthed at Pembroke Dock shortly after 4pm on Wednesday, bringing tower sections and other heavy components for the three Enercon turbines that will eventually stand on land adjacent to the existing gas terminal at Waterston.

A second vessel, the Irish-flagged Wilson Flex IV, is due to arrive in the early hours of this morning (Thursday) carrying the giant rotor blades.

The deliveries follow a successful trial convoy on 25 November, when police-escorted low-loader trailers carried dummy loads along the planned route from the port through Pembroke, past Waterloo roundabout and up the A477 to the Dragon LNG site.

Dragon LNG’s Community and Social Performance Officer, Lynette Round, confirmed the latest movements in emails to the Herald.

“The Peak Bergen arrived yesterday with the first components,” she said. “We are expecting another delivery tomorrow (Thursday) onboard the Wilson Flex IV. This will be blades and is currently showing an ETA of approximately 03:30.”

The £14.3 million project, approved by Welsh Ministers last year, will see three turbines with a combined capacity of up to 13.5 MW erected on company-owned land next to the LNG terminal. Once operational – expected in late 2026 – they will generate enough electricity to power the entire site, significantly reducing its carbon footprint.

Port of Milford Haven shipping movements showed the Peak Bergen approaching the Haven throughout Wednesday morning before finally tying up at the cargo berth in Pembroke Dock. Cranes began unloading operations yesterday evening.

Weather conditions are currently favourable for this morning’s arrival of the Wilson Flex IV, which was tracking south of the Smalls at midnight.

The abnormal-load convoys carrying the components from the port to Waterston are expected to begin next week, subject to final police and highway approvals.

A community benefit fund linked to the project will provide training opportunities and energy-bill support for residents in nearby Waterston, Llanstadwell and Neyland.

Further updates will be issued by Dragon LNG as the Port of Milford Haven as the delivery programme continues.

Photo: Martin Cavaney

Crime

Banned for 40 months after driving with cocaine breakdown product in blood

Published

44 minutes ago

December 4, 2025

Sarah-Jane Absalom

A MILFORD HAVEN woman has been handed a lengthy driving ban after admitting driving with a controlled drug in her system more than ten times over the legal limit.

SENTENCED AT HAVERFORDWEST

Sally Allen, 43, of Wentworth Close, Hubberston, appeared before Haverfordwest Magistrates’ Court on Thursday (Dec 4) for sentencing, having pleaded guilty on November 25 to driving with a proportion of a specified controlled drug above the prescribed limit.

The court heard that Allen was stopped on August 25 on the Old Hakin Road at Tiers Cross while driving an Audi A3. Blood analysis showed 509µg/l of Benzoylecgonine, a breakdown product of cocaine. The legal limit is 50µg/l.

COMMUNITY ORDER AND REHABILITATION

Magistrates imposed a 40-month driving ban, backdated to her interim disqualification which began on November 25.

Allen was also handed a 12-month community order, requiring her to complete 10 days of rehabilitation activities as directed by the Probation Service.

She was fined £120, ordered to pay £85 prosecution costs and a £114 surcharge. Her financial penalties will be paid in £25 monthly instalments from January 1, 2026.

The bench—Mrs H Roberts, Mr M Shankland and Mrs J Morris—said her guilty plea had been taken into account when passing sentence.

Local Government

Sewage leak at Pembroke Commons prompts urgent clean-up works

Published

2 hours ago

December 4, 2025

Tom Sinclair

Council pollution officers say they have no enforcement powers over Welsh Water infrastructure

SEWAGE contamination on the Commons in Pembroke has prompted an urgent response from pollution officers, after a leak was reported by a member of the public on Tuesday.

Pembrokeshire County Council’s Pollution Control Team confirmed they were alerted yesterday afternoon to sewage surrounding a manhole cover on the site. The Herald understands that officers immediately notified Welsh Water (DCWW) network technicians to investigate the incident “as a matter of urgency”.

County councillor Jonathan Grimes, who represents Pembroke St Mary South and Monkton, said the authority had been clear that it holds no enforcement powers over Welsh Water assets.

“Whilst we work constructively with Welsh Water, we have no authority to intervene on their apparatus or to carry out enforcement action against them for such pollution incidents,” the Pollution Control Team said in a statement shared with the councillor.

Urgent works underway

Council officers visited the site on Wednesday morning alongside contractors and Welsh Water technicians to assess clean-up options. According to the team, works will include cleaning the contaminated ground in and around the manhole cover and fencing off the affected area “until safe”.

Cllr Grimes said officers would return to the scene on Thursday to check on progress and ensure the area is properly secured.

Residents who notice any further issues have been urged to contact the Pollution Control Team directly.

Further updates are expected later this week.