P&O Ferries sacked 800 workers last week, replacing them with agency staff. One anonymous seafarer working the Irish Sea ferry route for many years describes the impact of abruptly losing his job and way of life.
When you speak to ferry passengers they’re sometimes quite surprised you actually live on board the ship. It’s more than just a workplace. With your shipmates you’re living, eating, working together, doing all the domestic stuff like watching television, you’re the police, ambulance and fire brigade – you’re self-sufficient.
