Wightlink has been forced to withdraw 1 of its Fastcats from service after a propeller allegedly ‘fell off’ mid-sailing earlier this morning (Tuesday).
It’s said that Wight Ryder 2 was travelling to the Isle of Wight when it suffered damage to 1 of its propellers.
There were delays for those travelling with Wightlink on the Ryde to Portsmouth route as a result of the ‘technical issue’, with the 08:45 cancelled. However, the service has now resumed with Wight Ryder 1 brought into action.
A spokesperson for the cross-Solent operator has confirmed that Wight Ryder 2’s propeller was damaged during a sailing between Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head. It’s said that the damage is thought to have been caused by debris in the Solent.
Wightlink passengers have told Island Echo that they were told the prop ‘fell off’.
Wight Ryder 1 has been withdrawn for inspection and repairs. It is unknown how long this will take. In the meantime, the service is reliant on just 1 vessel.
That says all you need to know about wightlink !!
as much as I dislike the ‘profit before service’ operating model of Wightlink and it’s competitors,
I think it highly unlikely that any member of their staff in any technically competent role, would have said “The prop fell off”..
probably just speculation from some passenger who knows enough about boats to know that some of them do actually have propellors…
you say…..as much as I dislike the ‘profit before service’ operating model of Wightlink and it’s competitors,
are you for real – the company is a “for profit” enterprise or had that fact escaped you.
This is not some communist, hippie commune we live in, where unicorns run wild and everyone sings kumbaya, whilst providing a ferry service for no charge.
without profit, there is no money to invest in the future, or have money on hand for unexpected costs, such as prop damage. Why should the owners take the financial risk of providing a ferry service, if they aren’t going to get a comparable financial reward for doing so.
There is a world of difference between putting aside enough of the profits to ensure continuation of the ferry services and then paying out dividend from what is left – and paying out dividends first and trying to spread the balance as thin as you can.
We are paying sky- high prices to a company that is putting profit over what it’s supposed to be delivering: a safe and efficient service. That’s not the inevitable way of the world in business, it’s exploitation.
Sky high!! What a load of twaddle. Prices are perfectly affordable.
Duh, are you thick…
Of course I know that’s what their operating model is…
My point is that, in my opinion, for the Isle of Wight to be an equal part of the UK, it should have a ferry service, which is either not-for-profit, or subsidized, so we can be on a level with other UK islands, which do have such services.
They don’t have props they use water jet propulsion
They have Propellers
Water jets have inboard propellers.
The propellor fell off!! Fell off did it! By Jove I’ve heard some things in my time but this takes biscuit. Well made good and proper English workmanship this is not..Steve
I wouldn’t worry about fixing it. I think the rubber band is about to snap anyway.
And that is why you should choose RedJet over Wightlink.. Wightlink’s asset maintenance record is awful… The company should be investigated and if proven .. prosecuted .. that will hurt their shareholders . Maybe ?
Their reduced maintenance schedule, which are causing all these failures, is going to kill someone.