Wightlink have suspended their Fastcat catamaran service this morning (Monday) due to a mechanical issue.
Services between Ryde Pier Head and Portsmouth Harbour have been halted temporarily, but no indication has been given as to when the service is likely to resume.
The service disruption has been brought about as the cross-Solent operator is down to just 1 vessel. As part of the company’s annual maintenance programme, 1 of the 2 catamaran vessels has been dry docked.
A temporary timetable has been in operation using the sole remaining Wight Ryder but a mechanical issue has now developed that has rendered the vessel unusable.
Thankfully, the windy conditions seen on the Solent over the past week have died down meaning Hovertravel are operating a normal service between Ryde and Southsea today.
All other cross-Solent services are operating to timetable.
UPDATE @ 06:25 – It has been announced that a 07.00 charter service will operate from Ryde whilst teams continue to work on resolving the mechanical issue.
Wightlink apologise for any changes to yoru travel plans.
UPDATE @ 07:03 – The earlier mechanical issue has been resolved and as a result a normal, timetabled service is now in operation.
What a way to run a service with just 2 cats,
Is the cat not running ?