Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines, the destinational UK based cruise line, said it has repatriated passengers of Black Watch from Funchal in Madeira after the ship had suffered a fire in an auxiliary engine room that did not cause injuries.

Black Watch arrived in Funchal at ca. 4.30pm on Saturday. Mike Rodwell, managing director of the company, flew with a team of senior executives from the company’s headquarters in Ipswich to organise matters.

“In spite of the challenges of securing aircraft from Funchal, Madeira at late notice, Fred. Olsen has organised three private charter flights back to London Stansted and London Gatwick airports, which will depart on Monday 4 July 2016,” the company said in a statement.

Special arrangements have been made for those guests, who are unable to fly for medical reasons. “Fred. Olsen will be assisting with arrangements for the transfer of guests to their onward destinations, as necessary,” the company said.

Fred. Olsen appreciates guests’ understanding and co-operation with these new arrangements. In recognition of the inconvenience caused, Fred. Olsen will arrange compensation as follows:

- 100% refund of the whole of the cruise fare, to arrive with guests shortly after their return home. Fred. Olsen will also be refunding guests any reasonable out of pocket expenses connected with the curtailment of their holidays

- In addition, Fred. Olsen will also offer guests a future cruise voucher of up to 50% of the fare paid for this cruise, to be used within Fred. Olsen’s current cruise programme

An advice desk for guests has been set up in the Guest Services area of the ship for guests to be able to request further information, and we have made the cabin telephones available free of charge to guests to enable them to contact relatives.

There are 696 guests and 365 crew on board, the majority of whom are British nationals, the company said.