UPDATED: Red Funnel’s East Cowes to Southampton car ferry service is delayed by up to 2 hours this morning (Tuesday) due to a link span problem at the Southampton terminal.
The 07:15 sailing from East Cowes arrived at the mainland port on time, but it was soon discovered that passengers and vehicles could not be unloaded due to a technical issue.
In a bid to get customers on their way, the Red Osprey has docked at Berth 25 and unloaded foot passengers and vehicles on the lower car deck. Those stuck on the upper car deck are being returned to East Cowes.
As a result of the technical issue, Red Funnel are offering free upgrades for foot passengers so that they can travel via the Red Jet service.
UPDATE @ 10:45 – Red Funnel are advising of 3-4 hour delays for those travelling from the Island and 2 hour delays for those travelling to the Island.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the cross-Solent operator has said:
“Due to a hydraulic problem with the high-rise linkspan at its Southampton terminal (T1), Red Funnel is operating its Southampton-East Cowes service today from Berth 25, in Southampton’s Eastern Docks (accessed via Dock Gate 4).
“A revised timetable is in operation and delays of 2 hours from Southampton and 3-4 hours from East Cowes is anticipated”.
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Red Funnel has issued the following advice to customers travelling today:
• Foot passengers – are advised to travel on the Southampton-West Cowes Hi-Speed Red Jet service which is unaffected. Tickets for travel via East Cowes will be accepted.
• Vehicles (Single/Day returns) – customers may want to consider postponing or cancelling their journey today. A full refund will be issued.
• Vehicles (Longer stay visits) – customers should check-in as normal at Terminal 1 for directions to 25 berth.
More information is available at www.redfunnel.co.uk/vehicleferrytimes by phone 02380 019192 and on twitter.com/rf_travel_news.
Red Funnel would like to take the opportunity to apologise to customers for the delays and inconvenience.
UPDATE @ 12:40 – Red Funnel say that the delays have reduced to 1 hour from Southampton and 2 hours from East Cowes.
UPDATE WEDNESDAY – Car ferry services to and from the Island are once again operating from the normal Southampton terminal.
However, the problems continue for those crossing the Solent with the 17:00 car ferry sailing from Southampton and the 18:30 from East Cowes both cancelled due to essential maintenance.
