Very foggy conditions on the Solent have led to the suspension of Red Funnel’s vehicle ferry and hi-speed services this morning (Thursday).
Reduced visibility means that the cross-Solent operator is unable to manoeuvre in and around Cowes Harbour, leaving the firm no option but to bring their ships to a halt.
The East Cowes-Southampton vehicle ferry service was suspended shortly after 02:00 this morning, with confirmation of the Red Jet service suspension coming in at 05:15.
Res Falcon is holding off just outside Cowes Harbour and Red Osprey is docked at the Southampton terminal.
It is currently unknown when services will resume.
Those travelling to and from the Isle of Wight today should expect significant disruption to their journey – with delays expected once Red Funnel’s services are back up and running.
UPATE @ 08:01 – Red Jet services between West Cowes and Southampton have now resumed, albeit with 20 minute delays.
UPDATE @ 11:15 – Service from both East Cowes and Southampton have resumed. The 12:00 from East Cowes and Southampton are currently delayed by 20 minutes.
It is also unknown when they will file the accounts too, last day today to do it, nothing showing yet, companies house are usually very quick at chasing this up, let’s see how this plays out shall we. Seems like red funnel have a lot to hide. 11 directors have resigned since 2023, and only 2 new directors in the same time frame. Down the pan springs to mind.
More likely to do with the fact that the last government refused to appoint a regulator, said both ferry companies were just fine, ta. Those who resigned were those looking out for the interests of the shareholders, not the service itself. Since then though, we’ve had a change of government but no sale, as was expected. Regulation to some degree is imminent I think, but will probably come after any investment into new boats, a bit of a stalemate as the company is held under Jersey jurisdiction, and those shareholders will want more tax-free profits than a regulator would agree to. Or a sale to a British company.
Anyone notice?
please just sell up give it to someone who can make a better job of it..with all the latest technology..really is this thing in 2025 ??
So we have ferry operators that cannot run when its foggy, a little bit choppy, the third mate twice removed has gone sick or someone has lost the spanner to do some basic maintence, I wonder if the navy ever say, sorry boss cant go to war today its foggy.