UPDATED: Passengers on board Wightlink’s Fishbourne-Portsmouth car ferry service are currently stuck on board following a mechanical failure with the linkspan at Fishbourne.
Those on board the 22:00 sailing from Portsmouth are yet to disembark from the ferry as the lower linkspan has failed to rise with the tide.
Del Dinsdale is on board the vessel at the moment and says there is talk of returning to Portsmouth and then being directed to Lymington.
Around 20 vehicles are on board.
Another passenger, Steve Quarnby, who is returning from his holiday abroad, says there has been suggestions that the newly-installed upper ramp is negatively affecting the normal linkspan.
A free hot drink has been offered to all passengers but free food is being refused.
UPDATE @ 00:20 – The mechanical issue has now been resolved resulting in passengers finally disembarking some 90 minutes later than planned.
It is currently unknown if the cross-Solent service will be further affected by the incident, although it is known that early morning services are now delayed.
UPDATE THURSDAY – A spokesperson for Wightlink has told Island Echo:
“Wightlink’s 22:00 sailing from Portsmouth to Fishbourne on Wednesday 24 May with 107 passengers on board (St Clare) was unable to dock on arrival at the Isle of Wight at 22:40 because of a technical issue with the boarding ramp at Fishbourne.
“Engineers sorted it out at 00:15 and the vehicles disembarked at Fishbourne.
“While customers were waiting to leave the ship, they were offered refreshments by staff.
“Wightlink is sorry for the delays caused to their journey”.
