An ongoing issue with the compass system on board 1 of Red Funnel’s car ferries has forced the cancellation of at least 2 Sunday morning sailings.
The cross-Solent operator has confirmed that a technical issue with the gyro compass system is causing disruption to services.
It has been confirmed that the 04:30 vehicle ferry sailing from Southampton has been cancelled tomorrow alongside the 06:00 from East Cowes.
4 sailings have already been cancelled today (Saturday) – the 16:30 and 19:30 from Southampton and the 18:00 and 21:00 from East Cowes.
Red Funnel apologises for any inconvenience to your journey.
Issues with a compass what ever next ? The sat navs packed up.
I’ve got one I can lend them if that helps. It’s an original, non electronic one, but it works perfectly.
Try Hursts first, they will have one.
They don’t, but they do have accurate clocks which Drake didn’t have when he circumnavigated The Globe. Not the pub, although Red Funnel probably couldn’t find that either.
No good apologize,this 04-30 sailing will have a knock on effect to Islanders waiting for LPG and business as I think this is crossing for hazardous lorries etc. They can’t just get next boat . Is it compass or Giro ?.
Must be a change in eaths magnetic field.
Oh, shut up already……
Why not use the stars to navigate…..or your eyes even.
Was it a “moral compass” issue due to the expensive costs
Giggle. It’s not really like Columbus setting sail is it?
Surely they must know where to go by now lol
Gyro compass. To get from Southampton to Cowes-give me a break. I sail around the Solent and of all the navigation aids that you need that isn’t even on the list. The list being, eyes, gps plotter, radar, AIS -come on Red Funnel-pull the other one!
Strange that the compass only seems to be affected on the early morning and evening sailings? During the middle of the day, presumably, it works ok.
Nothing to do with staff not wanting or willing to work those shifts or low numbers of passengers at 4.30 on a Sunday morning making those crossings uneconomic.
But, maybe I’m just being cynical and it really is just a temperamental compass that doesn’t like working unsociable hours.
Morning and evening it’s pitch dark, and middle of the day it’s light.
But you can see Southampton from Cowes…. Why would you need a compass ?
Ahhh i see.an intermitent compass this time that only plays up on the less full crossings! How weird.how did the days sailing take place at all then huh . Bit like the lack of important staff that strangly are at work only when there are THE FINANCIAL CROSSINGS type lol .hmm .i smell rotting bs yet again…clear it away rf.
but have too say…not one wightlink have fobbed us off with yet…give em time !!
How could you get lost in Southampton water coming from Southampton you can see Cowes,
Must be difficult to know where Southampton, or Isle of Wight is, after doing the same route for years…. !! Does have windows !!
What’s next excuse.. ‘Oh look. cannot sail, someone left to toilet door open ! ‘
Why not use one of the other car ferries, that are parked up ??
Aha: not enough traffic to make the crossing profitable!
Tomorrow’s excuse: crew-room toaster out of action.
I wouldn’t have thought, although it must be a maritime legal requirement, that a compass would really be necessary on this by now familiar route. Even in the dark of with fog or mist?
But then don’t gyro compasses have a re-calibration faciility?
There are apps, satnavs and downloadable geographical websites that have polar orientations
Makes a change from a medical emergency or staff shortage.
No working compass is there not anything else like take a bearing from a landmark or is everything completely computer related
Turns out red funnel are not at fault! Who knew the earth’s magnetic field changed mid Solent…
It will be problems with their sextant next
I doubt if they could use one
A compass to cross the solent? Seriously!!!
Do they not have a magnetic compass backup, i believe it is a legal requirement
They all lost now fawley chimney gone don’t now which way to go now..how pathetic..
Surely someone’s got a Garmin or something. Thay’re not exactly crossing the Atlantic and could probably navigate the crossing with their eye’s closed the number of times they nhave done it ?.
Too all the arm chain sailing experts. If one system is down, it is often a symptom of a wider issue and should be investigated. When you’re carrying 100’s of people you can’t take any chances. I am sure this failure is due to reduced maintenance to save money. A tunnel does not need a compass.
It does once! – to make sure you’re digging in the right direction
If only Red Funnel had thought to consult the panel of experts who frequent the bottom half of Island Echo before cancelling sailings. They must surely be kicking themselves.