One of the two P&O ferries that underwent the comprehensive Darwin Project transformation in 2003 arrived in Calais on the morning of 29th September 2014 with smoke billowing from starboard side engine room vents and funnel.
The 22,986gt/1991 built Pride of Canterbury (above), launched as the European Pathway/rebuilt 2003, was inward bound to Calais when the fire broke out at around 0900 local time. There were 337 passengers and 119 crewmembers aboard with all passengers and vehicles being disembarked safely with no injuries or damage. The onboard sprinkler system extinguished the fire and the ship was later moved to a lay by berth by tugs prior to proceeding to ARNO Dunkerque for repairs.

The ship was expected to be out of service until late November and, presumably, her annual refit will be undertaken at the same time. The 28,138gt/1993 built Pride of Burgundy took up the slack in the schedule by offering five return sailings per day instead of three. Alas the spare ship, the 22,986gt/1991 built European Seaway, is in the Baltic on a wind farm charter.

That same day the 17,053gt/1981 built Wasa Express (former Sally Star) suffered a fire in her engine room electric control panel as she arrived at Vasa, Finland from Ume in Sweden. The incident was swiftly dealt with by the crew.