The Irish Ferries vessel, Isle of Inishmorehas been delayed in Pembroke Dock in Wales after reports of a confrontation between security staff hired by the company and union-represented sea-going staff.
An attempt by the company to bring approximately 80 new contract staff members onto the vessel is understood to have led to the dispute. A number of the ship's crew are reported to have barricaded themselves into the bridge.
Ship's officers, who are members of the Siptu union have also reportedly refused to set sail.
In a statement released by Siptu this evening the union said: "At present ships' officers remain on board the Isle of Inishmoreat Pembroke and the Ulyssesat Holyhead. They want 'security' and other personnel brought on board the ship by Irish Ferries to be withdrawn so that they can work normally. There are no passengers on either ship.
The vessel was due to depart at 2.30pm for Rosslare. No time has been set for the ship's departure.
In two statements earlier today the company said that it had started the implementation of its redundancy programme" and that from today Irish Ferries "will take on board personnel who will eventually replace the current staff who wish to avail of the voluntary redundancy offer".
While the company claims the redundancy is voluntary, those staff who chose to remain will do so on reduced pay and conditions.
Irish Ferries said it has placed additional security staff on board to ensure a safe working environment and to protect the security and integrity of its vessels.
The new workers the company had brought to the Isle of Inishmoreare reportedly from Latvia.
Siptu served strike notice on the company today after more than 100 ships officers voted by a margin of almost three to one for industrial action if the company steps outside the terms of a recent Labour Court ruling.
