The ongoing saga of travel disruption to cross-Solent services continues this morning (Tuesday) with the suspension of Wightlink’s Fastcat service.
It has been confirmed that due to a mechanical issue, the Ryde-Portsmouth service has been suspended.
Island Echo understands the issue is significant and may render the vessel unavailable for some time. The 2nd Fastcat is undergoing annual maintenance.
It is likely that there will be disruption to Hovertravel services today too, due to the weather. Normally when the hovercrafts are grounded passengers are able to use the Fastcat instead but as it stands that won’t be possible. Hovertravel is currently operating to timetable, with disruption expected from around 09:00.
Wightlink says Fastcst tickets are being accepted on the Fishbourne-Portsmouth car ferry service.
UPDATE @ 06:06 – Hovertravel has now also suspended its service, as a result of adverse weather.
It means that the only cross-Solent connection in the East Wight currently operating is the Fishbourne-Portsmouth car ferry service.
UPDATE @ 07:11 – It has been confirmed that Wight Ryder 2 hit debris – thought to be a log – whilst crossing the Solent last night (Monday). As a result, significant damage has been caused to the vessel’s propeller.
It is unknown how long the Fastcat service will remain suspended for, but it could be days rather than hours. Wightlink says the service will remain suspended for today with updates to follow.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Wightlink has said:
”During its journey from Ryde last night, Wight Ryder 2 hit some debris in the water and has damaged a propeller. Unfortunately Wightlink’s second FastCat is currently in refit and not available for service.
”A minibus and taxis are taking customers from Ryde Pier to Fishbourne to travel by Wightlink’s car ferry.
”Wightlink tickets are accepted on Hovertravel and on the replacement bus service from the Hovertravel terminal to and from Fishbourne if Hovertravel are suspended due to weather”.
Meanwhile, the weather has also resulted in the cancellation of 4 car ferry sailings on Wightlink’s Yarmouth-Lymington route.
Due to adverse weather, the 06:15 and 08:40 sailings from Lymington and the 07:30 and 09:45 sailings from Yarmouth have been cancelled.
Vehicles and Foot passengers will be accepted on the Fishbourne-Portsmouth car ferry during this time, but of course that route is already busier with Fastcat and Hovertravel customers.
HOVERCRAFT cancelled at 5:45 too, so car ferryor stay at home
Here at fishborne, and it’s chaos.
if anyone doesn’t think we need a fixed link, they’re living in a dream from the 1800’s.
Couldn’t put it better myself
For your info the fast cat and hover are for foot passengers so what your saying is that foot passengers can walk across your tunnel/bridge unknowing where on the mainland or indeed the island it will exit, back to dreamland for you i think.
Have you heard of buses?
Yes thankyou, if you had a bridge that was shut down by high winds have you heard of weather cancellations, you live in cloud cuckoo land if you honestly believe one would be built and as I said earlier, if the bridge tunnel came out near hindshead, which has been mentioned, have you heard of the cost
Not at all, a tram shuttle service for foot passengers & cyclists connecting to a transport hub could easily be added to any potential tunnel plan.
Like the way you say easy, that just adds more cost to these fantasies, and when your tunnel closes for several hours because of a serious/fatal whats your back up plan, another tunnel.
Do us all a favour, as you are in the minority, and give it a rest with these fantasy plans of a bridge/tunnel.
You do know you don’t have to live on an island if you don’t want to?!. Appreciating that these things are annoying but like I say, if your answer is a fixed link then island life doesn’t sound like it’s for you.
Hover said it was the weather but I was told that they also had mechanical issues this morning with yet another breakdown!
Unsure why downvoting this, this information came direct from a member of staff. Weather was fine by 7am, flat and not that windy at all out there. Also if it was weather why would their update be “Next update by 1300” rather than their usual hourly reviews.
they put out a weather message yesterday saying that services might be cancelled from 0900 onwards today – that message is still showing on the twitter page. The weather front has clearly arrived earlier than they expected.
it is weather for the hovers being cancelled and unless you are willing to back up the statement about a staff member – that being proof, then the official statement they have put out, is the truth
you will note that they have put out technical cancellation messages before – if it was broken today, they would have said that in their messages.
I know you cant do anything about the weather but this is appalling there should always be a third cat to get people to work hospital ect I know we can get to fishbourne but have you tried getting home from there it’s a long walk to the bus stop and if your disabled you’re bugged yes I know cabs but have you seen the price…….. it’s about time the people stood up to wightlink enough is enough wightlink………
a shuttle bus is running, taking people from the car ferry to Ryde – didn’t you read the articles.
So the Island stops again . Hardly a 21st Century forward looking council is it .. same old Ostrich response .. head in the sand ..
Watch-out – they blue-rinse brigade will scald you for suggesting we deserve better than this in 2022.
People wonder why young people are leaving the island in droves.
Lol be careful, they’ll be along soon berating you for even suggesting we deserve better than this.