Hovertravel has once again suspended its cross-Solent service – for the second time in 2 days – due to technical issues with both of its Flyer craft.
It was late yesterday afternoon (Friday) that Island Flyer developed a serious fault, which brought the operation to a halt due to Solent Flyer already being out of action.
Engineers worked to bring Solent Flyer back into operation allowing the Ryde-Southsea service to resume this morning.
Island Flyer is now undergoing a complete engine replacement with a crane called in to remove and reinstall the power unit.
Now, just hours after returning to the Ryde-Southsea route, Solent Flyer has developed a technical issue meaning the service has once again been suspended.
Hovertavel says that an update is expected at 17:00 but there is no guarantee that the hovers will resume at this time.
In the meantime, tickets can be used on Wightlink’s Fastcat service from Ryde Pier Head to Portsmouth Harbour.
UPDATE @ 17:20 – Services have now resumed at 17:15 from Ryde and 17:30 from Southsea.
Breakdowns happen especially with craft that by rights should be in a museum, I was trying to get the hover yesterday evening and was pointed towards the cat for reasons the hover staff didnt explain other than its not running , the amount of people trying to get home who were saying they could not wait to get of this s—–ty island, These are not elderly , these were young working class people that actually bring revenie to the island. If you want Wight to be turned into the biggest care home in the country you are going the right way about it.
Totally agree apart from the shity island bit are service to the mainland should be better but if you want a fast service then these problems will happen a slower reliable service like we used to have from the pier it always ran even in bad weather
I’ve been saying this all along. The younger generation on the island, the ones born and bread here, are the ones being priced out and forced to move to the mainland. The ferry companies are helping with this. Will be on one left of working age to staff the essential services that the oldies need to live. There is a shortage of ambulance staff on the island, not because no one wants the job, but the ones who do want the job can not find anywhere to live and so have to decline the job offer. What with the NIMBY stopping all and any development the only work that is not care home work is on the mainland. The island is slowly being strangled to death. Need cheap regular service or a fixed link.
You know the two current hovercraft were built in 2016, right?
The problem for most working age people on the island isn’t the ferries, either. It is low wages, poor prospects and lack of affordable housing.
You are correct in suggesting that the massive influx of retirees is a major issue.
Mechanical engines whether they be in cars, bikes, boats hovercrafts etc break and yes when it affects travel plans it’s very annoying but full credit to the engineers that at times work incredibly long hours in all weathers to keep them running
I agree. No one breaks them deliberately. All the staff at Hovertravel do an amazing job year round. Such a lovely friendly bunch. I was severely delayed on Friday as well but it is just one of those things.
Yes, but it also becoming more frequent.
No what we need to do is carry on strangling the island to death, and when it dies completely have a multimillion pound enquiry, Only to find we should have had a fixed link ,but haven’t got the money ! RIP iow
Don’t worry Hoverlink, you have a long way to go, to be compared with Red Funnel & that other one Shightlink for unreliability . Good luck getting the craft back on the water asap .