Ro-ro cargo ship GRANDE FRANCIA suffered engine failure in the afternoon Nov 18 in English Canal, some 14 nm north of Cherbourg, France. Disabled vessel started to drift towards French coast at some 4 knots speed. Salvage ship ABEILLE LIBERTE (IMO 9308699) was sent to assist troubled vessel. Inspection team from ABEILLE LIBERTE boarded GRANDE FRANCIA to comprehend situation. Crew managed to fix the problem and restart engine, vessel resumed sailing while being some 5 nm off the coast. As of 0400 UTC Nov 19, GRANDE FRANCIA is under way in English Canal, en route to Hamburg.
