On a day when SNCM (the ferry arm of SNCF operating between the mainland and Corsica) begins one of its not infrequent strikes over pay, conditions and safety, a disturbing story emerges about its rival operator Italian owned Corsica Ferries.
A vessel entering the port of Ile de Rousse left the obligatory channel and tore a 50 metre x 4 centimetre hole in the hull. This appears not to have affected the ship's handling and the ferry with its usual 2000 passengers returned to Toulon. It made 4 subsequent round trips before a routine check revealed the damage. A representative of the company confirmed that "not a lot of water had entered the vessel and was confined to empty areas around the fuel tanks". He said that the crew had felt a trembling of the ship but did not suspect that it had grounded, so did not report it as required by law.
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