Passengers traveling to the Isle of Wight have found themselves stuck at sea as a result of a blanket of fog falling on the Solent tonight (Sunday).
The 21:00 sailing from Southampton was due to arrive in East Cowes by 22:00, but the Red Falcon is now holding off Egypt Point – some 40 minutes after the ferry was meant to dock.
Rules surrounding navigation in Cowes Harbour in low visibility means that the Red Funnel car ferries are unable to arrive at or depart from East Cowes until the visibility improves.
Cowes Harbour Commission tightened the rules following a crash in foggy conditions last year which resulted in a Red Funnel car ferry running aground.
It is unknown when services will resume as normal.
UPDATE @ 22:50 – Red Funnel have in the last few minutes confirmed that their vehicle ferry service is suspended due to low visibility.
Passengers are being offered free refreshments onboard.
UPDATE @ 23:18 – Red Falcon has now docked at East Cowes – albeit 1 hour 20 minutes later than timetabled.
this is a joke i’m on the boat now and i’m fuming! hardly had any fanta and not even aloud to smoke the fag outside… i would rate this trip a 0.5 out of a 10.5! absolutely disgusting. boat journey from hell
Oh no, the Fanta has all gone!!!
Boat journey from hell!
Mean while all tunnels around the world operate fog or no fog, wind or no wind, remain open. But then a few who never have to use the ferries on a regular basis think a fixed like is not needed. As long as these Luddites are happy the rest can go and f………..
You know that tunnels can have problems too right?
Obviously… but compare a years ferry delays & cancellations to a tunnel, then let’s see what’s more reliable!
If the island had a tunnel it would probably have fog in it.
It’s just scam to line someone’s pockets!
DO NOT TRANSFER ANY MONIES!
We were also on the boat. Yes it was inconvenient and cold on the ferry. the guy had a tough job going round informing everyone what was happening, while the group of lads chanting your not fit to sail the ship! they gave out free teas and coffees. At the end of the day you can’t control the weather. Had they of tried to dock and crashed they would of got grief for that aswell, Safety of passengers come first..
Should have gone with wightlink!