Cruise ship Boudicca was left without power after engine room fire off coast of Morocco

The Boudicca, a Fred Olsen ship with 1,000 people on-board, was left without power this morning

Fred Olsen's Boudicca in Belfast (Corbis)

A cruise ship with more than 1,000 people on-board has been left without power off the coast of Morocco after an engine fire.

The Boudicca, a Fred Olsen cruise liner, listed and was plunged into darkness following the fire that broke out at 4am. Passengers were told to wear life jackets and assemble at emergency locations.

The ship left Southampton on 20 January and was making its way to Lanzarote, when it caught fire this morning. It is carrying 784 passengers and 356 crew members.

Rachael Jackson, a Fred Olsen spokesperson, said: “The fire was in the Engine Room, but has now been extinguished, and no guests or crew have been injured. Guests’ services have now been restored, and guests have been kept informed of the situation at all times.

"The ship is currently under way, and is now sailing towards Arrecife, Lanzarote at 8 Knots. Following the loss of the propulsion system, Boudicca listed for a short period, but is now fully stable, and there is no danger to guests or crew.

"The safety of all guests and crew on board Boudicca is Fred. Olsen Cruise Line’s utmost priority, and the ship will liaise with the relevant maritime authorities, should any need emerge.”

It is expected that the ship will arrive in Lanzarote on Monday, as scheduled. It is unknown how many British passengers are travelling on the 18-night Cape Verde and Canaries cruise holiday.

Boudicca previously hit the headlines when passengers contracted a vomiting bug in 2013. Last year the cruise company paid almost £300,000 in compensation to passengers who suffered gastric illnesses between 2009 and 2010.