Red Funnel will not be able to run a 3-boat ferry service in April and May – some of the busiest months of the year – as Red Osprey is to undergo additional maintenance works, it has been announced.
The Raptor-class ferry – 1 of 3 operated on Red Funnel’s East Cowes-Southampton service – is heading off to Falmouth as part of its annual maintenance. But the scale of the work needed to be carried out, to keep the aging vessel operational, means an extended schedule of works.
To ensure that a full, 3-boat service is in operation for the Easter Holidays, Red Osprey will return to the Solent on 27th March. This should have been the date in which the full Summer timetable kicks in.
However, the cross-Solent operator has revealed that Red Osprey will be out of service again between 22nd April and 19th May for the balance of the maintenance works to be carried out.
The news means that for a 4-week period, Red Funnel will be operating a Winter timetable with ferries departing every 90 minutes. This will include over the early May Bank Holiday.
Red Funnel says that works to be carried out include the replacement of the vessel’s Voith unit, as well as a major service of the engines – thought to be the replacement of 16 pistons and crankshaft bearings.
It’s said that longer delivery times and global supply chain challenges are to blame, although Red Funnel knew of the engine issues back in December.
Fran Collins, CEO of Red Funnel, has said:
“Ensuring the resilience of our vehicle ferries is one of our top priorities, and investing in essential maintenance is the right decision to support our fleet’s long-term reliability. We would not wish to go into the summer season knowing that there was work we could have done to improve Red Osprey’s performance. This strategic decision allows us to adapt our essential works schedule to align with our customers’ needs and minimise inconvenience, especially during the Easter holidays.
“We greatly appreciate our customers’ support and understanding as we do our best to support them and ensure we’re in a more robust position for the months ahead.”
Customers with impacted bookings between 22nd April and 19th May will be contacted by 7th March.
Red Funnel will add extra crossings for its freight ferry, Red Kestrel, during the April/May maintenance. These additional sailings will help free deck space on Red Funnel’s vehicle ferries, ensuring plenty of capacity for both vehicle and freight customers during the 4-week period.
The company has updated its timetables at https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/isle-of-wight-ferry/plan/timetables.
Somebody needs sacking – leaving major serving until the peak period.
Red osprey has only just come back this week from Falmouth so why wasn’t the work done then instead of wasting all that fuel only to have to do it again .some needs to resign poor management
Time for a Bridge or Tunnel. How long can this
Sh*t show go on for!!