UK-bound ferry diverts to Brittany after dozens of crew fall sick
Five crew members were hospitalised amid a suspected outbreaking of food poisoning
Brittany Ferries’ Pont-Aven (pictured here in 2019) was diverted via northern France as crew members fell sick
Gail Heaton / Shutterstock
A ferry from Spain to the UK was forced to divert to Brittany after crew members fell ill with suspected food poisoning.
The Brittany Ferries ship left Santander in northern Spain on Monday (August 7) at 18:10 local time but was forced to stop in Brest, north-west France, on Tuesday (August 8) when 39 of 144 staff fell sick.
The prefecture in Finistère said an investigation is underway to analyse meals eaten by the crew to identify the source of the suspected food poisoning.
The Pont-Aven ferry, on its way to Plymouth, arrived in Brittany around 11:30 local time, a company spokesperson said.
“The decision to divert was made by the captain of Pont-Aven in consultation with the relevant authorities, including the French Centre de Consultation Médicale Maritime (CCMM, Maritime Medical Advisory Centre) based in Purpan, Toulouse, and the French coastguard (CROSS: Centres régionaux opérationnels de surveillance et de secours),” Brittany Ferries said in a statement on its website.
The prefecture said 39 crew members had been taken ill, including five that were sent for hospital treatment. It emphasised that none of the 982 passengers aboard had been affected.
Other crew members stayed on board under the care of the ferry’s health team after an examination from the Samu service.
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Brittany Ferries later said on X - formerly Twitter - the ferry was later cleared to leave. It was expected to arrive in Plymouth at 22:00 local time on Tuesday.
Read also: New French flights, Brittany train boost, ferry row: 8 travel updates
Passengers onboard
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Some passengers complained about the eight-hour delay and claimed they had only received a free bottle of water and a 25% discount on hot meals.
The Connexion contacted Brittany Ferries regarding passenger complaints, but the company declined to comment.
Were you onboard?
Did you travel on the diverted Pont-Aven ferry? If you would like to share the story, please get in touch via news@connexionfrance.com.
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