UPDATED: Wightlink’s Portsmouth to Fishbourne car ferry service has been suspended until further notice this evening (Friday) following the collapse of the linkspan at the Gunwharf terminal.
Island Echo readers have reported that the car ferry St Faith has experienced problems docking at Portsmouth Gunwharf, where it has become clear that a section of the linkspan has collapsed considerably on one side rendering it unusable.
St Faith is unable to load or unload and as a result has moved around to the nearby international ferry port, where it is awaiting permission from the harbour master to dock.
One customer waiting to travel to the Isle of Wight says it is ‘mayhem’ and that Wightlink staff have said they are unable to give a time for the next sailing.
UPDATE @ 18:44 – In a statement, Wightlink have said there will be delays to its car ferry services between Portsmouth Gunwharf and Fishbourne this evening due to a fault with the linkspan at Gunwharf, which is now being repaired.
Customers should check in as normal at Gunwharf and will then be advised of arrangements for onward travel.
A spokesperson said:
“A mechanical problem affected the linkspan loading ramp this afternoon. No ship was using the linkspan at the time. No-one was hurt in the incident and there was no damage to any vehicle or vessel”.
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Traffic is reported to be heavy on both sides of the Solent, which is leading to delays for Southern Vectis buses. Road signs have been placed at Fishbourne by HSS advising customers that the service is suspended.
The incident comes just over a year since a deck collapsed on board the now-retired ferry St Helen.
UPDATE @ 19:06 – Wightlink have confirmed that engineers have resolved the linkspan problem and are about to resume loading from Gunwharf Portsmouth. The linkspan has been fully tested prior to coming back into service.
Customers should expect lengthy delays throughout the evening of around 4-5 hours.
Featured photogtaph thanks to Nigel Lane. Primary photograph thanks to Barry Payne. Secondary photograph thanks to Steve Wright.
