Red Funnel’s vehicle ferry service is once again suspended until further notice owing to the foggy conditions on the Solent.
Every day this week early morning sailings have been hit by cancellations due to low visibility on the Solent.
Restrictions put in place by Cowes Harbour Commission means that Red Funnel’s large vessels are unable to manoeuvre when visibility falls below a certain level.
The East Cowes-Southampton service ground to a halt just before 23:00 last night (Wednesday) but resumed in the middle of the night. It’s said a boat departed Southampton at 03:00 but got to Cowes and had to turn back.
Disgruntled passengers say they have been offered nothing more than a cup of coffee, despite spending all night either at the terminal or onboard the ferry.
An Island Echo reader says they arrived at the terminal in Southampton over 8 hours ago and they are still not back home on the Island.
Yesterday’s fog led to the suspension of Wightlink’s Fishbourne-Portsmouth services too, but today’s adverse conditions are only affecting Red Funnel’s operations.
It seems likely that disruption will continue to affect Red Funnel’s services for several hours to come.
UPDATE @ 06:58 – Wightlink has confirmed that its Yarmouth-Lymington service has been suspended due to the reduced visibility.
The operator is warning of severe delays today.
UPDATE @ 08:26 – Wightlink’s Yarmouth-Lymington route is operating once again, but as a shuttle service.
UPDATE @ 09:05 – Red Funnel has confirmed that its vehicle ferry service has now resumed.
The sun is shining across the Isle of Wight and burning off the fog, so disruption to cross-Solent services is expected to now be minimal.
I do blieve you meant fourth as yhe Foorth is a waterway on Scotland
I do believe you meant Forth!
You believe correctly, however that is the Dutch spelling:)
I was about to rip into Red Funnel for not sailing in fog, but read its not their fault, it’s down to Cowes Harbour Comission. I mean, my god, these ferries have expensive radar and such to navigate the water and other vessels. You don’t see P&O or cargo from Pompey or Southampton saying “WE can’t sail”!!
FFS let them sail, as they are delivering people to work and to hospital for treatment. HOW HOW is our economy supposed to grow with all these unnecessary suspensions.
If Cowes Harbour want to suspend anything, SUSPEND THE PRIVATE PLEASURE BOATS until the fog has lifted. Less obstacles on the water, they are not providing an ESSENTIAL SERVICE, and nor are they paying the adsministrative rates that Red Funnel have to.
COWES HARBOUR, IT’S DOWN TO YOU!!!!! DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT to HELP IMPROVE OUR ISLAND.
We have to endure and be understanding of maintenance problems (regular), staffing issues and stormy weather. Soon, they’ll be saying can’t sail in sunshine because its too bright and we can’t see. St. Agur!!!, GET ON WITH IT!!!!