Over 300 Stena Line ferry passengers are stranded on board ship overnight in Liverpool after six crew members tested positive for Covid
Hundreds of passengers were stuck aboard a Belfast-bound ferry overnight after six crew members tested positive for coronavirus.
Passengers on the Stena Line ship Stena Edda were due to leave Liverpool at 10.30pm last night.
But while many woke up expecting to have arrived in Northern Ireland this morning, the 'irate' passengers found they had not moved from the port in Birkenhead, Merseyside.
The vessel, carrying 322 passengers and 53 crew members, was held at the Twelve Quays terminal on the instruction of the Port Health Authorities.
One passenger this morning said many of those on board had 'resigned themselves to being stuck.'
But passengers were disembarked by 11.45am and moved across to the ferry line's Stena Mersey vessel docked next door to continue their journey to Belfast.
All those who are confirmed to have the virus are suffering from mild symptoms and are said to be 'doing well', the ferry company confirmed.
A further 15 people who came into close contact with the infected crew have also been told to self-isolate.
The incident came just hours after the company announced a surge in bookings on their routes to and from Northern Ireland as people travel home for Christmas.
Current coronavirus restrictions are set to be relaxed for five days over the festive period.
More than 300 passengers have been stuck in Liverpool aboard a Belfast-bound ferry overnight after six crw members tested positive for coronavirus
The boat carrying 322 passengers and 53 crew members was due to depart for Belfast at 10.30pm
The incident took place on the ferry line's Stena Edda car and passenger-carrying vessel
The boat was held in Birkenhead by the Port Health Authorities due to the outbreak
Passenger Alan Cogan earlier told The BBC tensions were initially high when a public announcement was first made about the situation on board around 3:30am.
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'I know there were a few irate people this morning,' said the 47-year-old, who is sailing home to Northern Ireland.
'We all had visions of what had happened to the crew ships around the world when passengers had tested positive and were left stranded and not allowed off.
'That would be a nightmare. It's not the most comfortable boat.
Ships have been a focal point for Covid concerns after outbreaks on cruise ships left passengers and crew stranded aboard at the start of the pandemic.
The incident comes after Stena Line took delivery of a new ship earlier this month as part of an extensive modernisation of the company's fleet. The Stena Embla is one of three vessels due to start sailing the company's Irish Sea routes in the New Year.
A Stena Line spokesperson told Mail Online: 'Stena Line can confirm that following full testing of the Stena Edda crew last night, 6 members tested positive for COVID-19.
'In line with our safety protocols we alerted the Port Health Authorities, who advised us to hold the vessel in Birkenhead as a precaution.
All those who are confirmed to have the virus are said to be 'doing well', the ferry company confirmed
Six crew members tested positive for the virus and an additional 15 have been told to self isolate
A spokesman for Stena Line confirmed none of those affected were passengers
Passengers are understood to be disembarking again in Liverpool this morning, but photos show there are still many people on board
'The welfare of our passengers and crew is paramount at this time,' a Stena Line statement said
'322 passengers and 53 crew are onboard. The six crew members who tested positive for COVID-19 are being cared for and are doing well, with only mild symptoms. 15 close contacts have been identified and are self-isolating.
'None of the affected crew members were customer facing and Port Health Authorities have confirmed that there is no risk to passengers who have now left the vessel. Disembarkation was completed at 11:45 this morning.
'They are being transferred to the Stena Mersey, which is due to set sail for Belfast shortly.
People, including Stena Line crew, can be seen from shore aboard the boat wearing masks
The Liverpool-Belfast ferry is docked in Berkenhead port in Liverpool, Merseyside
People took to social media to vent their frustrations at the ferry line after waking up in Liverpool
It came after six crew members tested positive for coronavirus aboard the ferry
'The welfare of our passengers and crew is paramount at this time.'
The passengers are understood to have begun disembarking around 9am this morning. Everyone was removed from the boat by 11.45am and moved to another ship docked next door.
The Stena Mersey vessel was due to carry the passengers to Belfast today.
Earlier this morning passengers reacted to the news in anger at the ferry's delay and took to social media to vent their frustrations.
One furious passenger posted on Twitter: 'Well this ferry truly is overnight. Still in Liverpool.
'What's going on Stena Line? No information or crew to be found.'
One person aboard the boat said they had recieved little information and there was no crew around
This man woke up in Liverpool to find the ferry had not moved any closer to its destination
One wrote: On the boat from Liverpool to Belfast that was menat to take off at 10.30pm and they've just said after five hours on this boat we have to wait until 9am to disembark.
'Sitting on a boat for 12 hours and no closer to home and without any ways of getting there.'
Do you know someone affected by this? Email antonia.paget@mailonline.co.uk