PASSENGERS on the cruise ship Balmoral were expected to depart this afternoon after the ship was delayed due to a technical fault with a lifeboat.

The Southampton-based ship was inspected by officials from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency yesterday who found the fault along with inconsistent record keeping of crew hours of rest, and subsequently detained the vessel.

According to the latest shipping movements the Fred Olsen cruise ship was due to set sail for Lisbon this afternoon.

The 43,537 ton ship has a crew of 471 and can accommodate 1,930 passengers over ten decks.