A second P&O ferry has been further detained by the authorities in as many days following a failed inspection, likely scuppering the scandal-hit company’s plans to run a service between Dover and Calais from Easter.

It emerged earlier on Wednesday that the Pride of Kent – first detained by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) last month – was being re-examined by safety officials at the company’s request.

However it was later confirmed that, like fellow Dover-based Spirit of Britain 24 hours earlier, Pride of Kent had not passed muster either.

The MCA said: “The Pride of Kent will remain detained following the reinspection of the ferry today which found a number of additional deficiencies including in safety systems and crew documentation.

“We have advised P&O to invite us back once they have addressed the issues. We do not know yet when this will be.”

It represents a likely fatal blow to the company’s plans to run at least one of its ships on the busiest route between Britain and France from Good Friday because the MCA did not reveal plans for any further inspections and time is running incredibly short for a full inspection.

Having one of the ferries back in service would have helped ease recent freight backlogs in Dover, largely caused by the absence of the three P&O vessels which also include the Pride of Canterbury.

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She is yet to have her first inspection since the scandal broke.

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P&O, universally condemned for its treatment of almost 800 seafarers who were sacked without notice last month, has new crews on all its vessels though many roles are paid below the UK minimum wage – an issue the government has promised to resolve through new legislation.

Each P&O vessel must pass an inspection to return to sea.

To date only the Pride of Hull, which operates between Hull and Rotterdam, and European Causeway, that runs between Larne and Cairnryan, are the P&O vessels to have been allowed back to service.

It means there are six others facing checks under the Port State Control regime.

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