P&O has launched an investigation after an issue with a lifeboat on one of their new multi-million pound ships.

The incident happened while the lifeboat was being lowered during safety checks on the vessel, named Pioneer, which is expected to eventually sail the Dover-Calais route.

The ship is now moored in Dunkirk, in France, where it will undergo further safety checks before being brought to Kent.

According to ITV, a steel cable attached to one of its lifeboats snapped when it was launched during a training and equipment testing exercise.

The lifeboat was empty and was left dangling above the water for around twenty minutes when the cable broke, the news site reports.

Bosses say a full investigation is now underway.

A spokesperson for P&O Ferries said: “While the vessel was moored, some safety drills and exercises were conducted as part of routine crew training and equipment testing.

“During these drills and exercises, the crew identified an issue with one lifeboat and then removed it from the vessel.

"The ship is not yet in service and there were no passengers or freight on board at the time.

“P&O Ferries is conducting a full investigation with the manufacturer to identify the source of the issue.

"The vessel will also undergo further testing in Dunkirk as part of this investigation, ahead of upcoming planned safety inspections by the UK and French authorities in the coming weeks.

“The safety of all our crew, passengers and ships is our top priority, and these checks are part of our due diligence and full commitment to safety.

"The ship will enter service once it has passed all relevant safety inspections to the satisfaction of P&O Ferries and all relevant authorities, as is the case for all our vessels.”

Data from marinetraffic.com shows a rescue vessel, named Sandown and Shanklin Independent lifeboat, attended the incident for two hours on Sunday.

The RMT (Railway, Maritime and Transport) union says it has written to the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) following the incident with safety concerns for seafarers.

The new hybrid ships, called Pioneer and Liberte, cost the company £230 million, and P&O says they will save 40% in fuel.

This is because the generators will charge the batteries as they sail, in the same way non plug-in hybrid cars work.

Built by Guangzhou Shipyard in China, P&O also claimed the ships are designed with the capacity to be carbon neutral in the future on the twin assumptions that there are more electric shore charging stations in ports and batteries.

The two ships are double-headed with the hope of saving time when loading and unloading by virtue of not having to turn around in port.

A Marine Accident Investigation Branch spokesperson said: "The MAIB is aware of the incident with the P&O PIONEER and is in communication with the company and the flag administration regarding the event."

A MCA spokesperson said: "We await an invitation from P&O Ferries to inspect this vessel as is standard practice."