Red Funnel has been forced to cancel several of its vehicle ferry sailings on the East Cowes-Southampton service this morning (Thursday).
An issue with the aft main engine on board Red Falcon has rendered the ferry out of service.
As a result, the 06:00 and 09:00 sailings from East Cowes have been cancelled, alongside the 07:30 sailing from Southampton.
It is unclear at this time if there will be any further cancellations.
Last night there were delays of up to 90 minutes due to repairs being carried out to Red Falcon’s ship’s whistle.
UPDATE @ 09:14 – Red Funnel has now cancelled the 10:30 and 13:30 sailings from Southampton, as well as the 12:00 and 15:00 sailings from East Cowes.
Investigations into the issue affecting Red Falcon’s main engine continue.
YES…. my family, two adults and two children had to leave the Island yesterday and book in a hotel at a cost they should not have had to make JUST for this precise reason.
They had connection deadlines to make today and you just cannot trust the ferries anymore.
Its a ridicules situation that is just not being dealt with.
We are dependant on cross Solent travel here for many reasons and they just cancel randomly.
Can the person that is in a position to do something about this stand up and get this sorted.
“Can the person that is in a position to do something about this stand up and get this sorted.”
If only it was that simple
Unfortunately, both Red Funnel and Wightlink are private companies, who’s sole responsibility is to make profit for their shareholders.
they have no legal requirement to provide ANY service at all,.. & only do so as it is their way of making money..
Because the population of the Island are reliant on the ferry services, and have no alternative, a few (or even a lot of) cancellations, won’t significantly affect the need for the ferries, or their profits, & therefore they are not motivated to do anything about it.
Both the previous CONservative government, and even the current Labour government have steadfastly refused to step in & regulate them,.. so in reality, nothing is going to happen to make it better..
Don’t worry the island now has Quigley on the
case, we didn’t have him 12 months ago.
I cannot believe people come on holiday to the
Island anymore with such shite ferry services.
Don’t get me started on £2 nightly parking charges
and 50p to use toilets.
Tourism on the island is sh*t!
How long before one of these ferries has a serious issue out at sea. Breakdowns are a regualr thing thanks to mismanaged, underfunding because the shareholdera come first, so the people who rely of these ferries. Let’s hope one doesn’t keel over and sink.
Don’t worry the RNLI will rescue them, they are
good at rescuing boats in distress!
I am not a Doctor or Scientist but I personally believe
the Ferries are suffering from what is called
“halftermitis”, it is catching and usually lasts 2 weeks
this time of the year and comes back again during
July and August
Lol
Time to re-name these Catamarans to
Slow Cats, they are hardly fast cats!