When the Captain Earns the Golden Ticket While Crew Get a Silver Sandwich
The skipper of P&O Ferries, Peter Hebblethwaite, raked in a whopping £508,000 last year (that includes a bonus of £183,000), yet his crew reportedly earn as little as £4.87 per hour. Yep, that’s the same rate you might get for a lifeboat nap in a tourist boat—nothing glamorous.
Back‑to‑Back Sails (And Scales?)
- 2023 earnings: £508,000 for the boss, a jaw‑dropping bonus slice of £183,000.
- Occupational hazard: The Chief Executive admits that living off such a rate would be absurd.
<li Staff wages: Reports suggest some dock workers clock in at only £4.87 an hour.
“Our Job Is to Follow International Law,” Says the Captain
Hebblethwaite insists that as a global shipping skipper, he must abide by “international law,” and he stresses the need for a fair playing field against rivals. “We’re paid well above the world’s minimum wage standards, after all,” he claims, which apparently stands in stark contrast to the crew’s kitchen‑style pay.
MPs Are No Longer Sighing
2025 was set aside for a fresh translation of the 2023 missteps. This year, Mr. Hebblethwaite again told MPs on the Business & Trade Committee that the crew isn’t getting exploited, even as the Guardian and ITV News dissected payslips that expose the strikingly low rate.
Where’s the Pirate Flag?
Liam Byrne, the Committee chair, throws a playful jab: “Are you a modern day pirate?” Hebblethwaite stayed silent on that. Byrne followed up, “Could you live on £4.87 an hour?” The answer? “No, I couldn’t.”
Labour MP Calls for a Probe
Labour MP Charlotte Nichols keeps pressing the chief to accept an independent investigation. Hebblethwaite counters, “The recruitment numbers show that we bring in the best seafarers globally, proving it’s not about exploitation—just talent.”
Union Road to Zero Remorse
The Trades Union Congress (TUC) general secretary Paul Nowak blasted P&O Ferries, saying the company lay off staff with zero notice. “It’s hard to fathom that no sanctions have pounced on P&O Ferries for these misdeeds,” he noted. He also highlighted that the parent firm, DP World, continues to snag new government contracts.
So What’s the Bottom Line?
While the captain can’t stomach living on a sailor’s wage, the company insists they’re “earning the right reward for their expertise.” The debate keeps rolling, with MPs, unions, and the press all eyes on a company that’s navigating both the seas and the public’s trust.
