Impounded ferry cleared to sail

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A cross-Channel ferry impounded by safety inspectors amid concerns about its safety has been told it can sail.

The Celtic Link Norman Voyager was detained at Portsmouth on Thursday after it failed basic safety tests.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said the company and crew had worked hard to address its concerns.

The vessel had initially failed tests relating to fire safety, the watertight integrity of the vessel and staff safety training.

The Norman Voyager sails under the name of Celtic Link.

Its its crew members are employed by Liverpool-based Meridian Marine, which manages the Norman Voyager.

Celtic Link sub-charters the vessel from LD Lines which, in-turn charters it from another company called Epic.

A spokesman for Celtic Link said it was unlikely the ferry would leave Portsmouth until the bad weather was over.