A P&O ferry briefly went adrift off the coast of Ireland this afternoon.
The European Causeway, which can carry up to 410 passengers, was about five miles away from Larne Harbour when it experienced a mechanical issue.
It left Cairnryan, Scotland, at about noon and was meant to arrive at Larne Harbour at 2pm.
The firm said they were stuck at sea due to a mechanical issue.
They added that a full inspection will take place when the ship is back in port.
Jonny Wilson was travelling across with his wife and two young children, aged five and two, when the European Causeway when stopped in the Irish Sea.
Are you on board or know someone who is? Contact us at webnews@mirror.co.uk
"I looked outside and the emergency lights were out...slowly we just came to a stop in the middle of the sea."
Jonny added: "My first thought was about the P&O and failings of the ship."
He continued: "I've gone back and forth on this route all my life and have never had this happen."
Less than two hours after it was due to arrive at Larne Harbour, P&O confirmed the ferry was continuing its journey "under its own propulsion".
A RNLI spokesperson said that three lifeboats had been sent to the scene.
The spokesperson said: "Three RNLI lifeboats were requested to launch this afternoon to assist a passenger ferry in difficulty one mile South East of The Maidens.
"Larne RNLI's all-weather lifeboat launched at 2.17pm while Red Bay's RNLI's all-weather lifeboat launched at 2.35pm followed by the inshore lifeboat at 3pm.
"All lifeboats are currently on scene."
This afternoon's events have raised concerns among the Shadow Transport Secretary and the National Union of Rail, Maritime and Transport Workers.
P&O came under fire for sacking almost 800 seafarers with plans to replace them with agency staff on cheaper salaries.
The European Causeway was detained on March 25 after being deemed "unfit to sail", and was released on April 8.
Louise Haigh, the Shadow Transport Secretary, tweeted: "This is deeply disturbing for the crew and passengers on board.
"It is a relief European Causeway have now made a safe return to port. But we must now urgently see rigorous independent inspections to guarantee the safety of passengers and crew."
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said: "The reports of the European Causeway drifting in water off Larne having lost all power are deeply concerning, not least for the agency crew and passengers onboard.
"Since our members were viciously sacked on 17 March, this vessel has been detained by the MCA for failing a raft of safety checks.
"The list of offences is now as long as your arm and the Government has to step in and protect ferry safety and jobs.
"P&O and their pay masters in Dubai are no longer capable of running a safe service and should be stripped of the licence to operate their ships.”
Last month, this ferry was detained in Northern Ireland after being deemed "unfit to sail" around the same time that hundreds of UK staff were suddenly sacked.
The European Causeway vessel was in the Northern Ireland port due to "failures on crew familiarisation, vessel documentation and crew training", the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said at the time.
Transport Secretary Grant Shapps said at the time he will not compromise the safety of P&O vessels and insisted that the company will not be able to rush training for inexperienced people.
On April 8, the ferry was released from detention and cleared to sail again.
A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said: “Following a temporary mechanical issue, the European Causeway is now continuing on its scheduled journey to the Port of Larne under its own propulsion, with local tugs on standby, where it will discharge its passengers and cargo as planned.
"There are no reported injuries onboard and all the relevant authorities have been informed. Once in dock a full independent investigation will be undertaken.”
