UPDATED: PIER POWER OUTAGE HALTS FASTCAT SERVICES

A total loss of power to Ryde Pier has forced the suspension of Fastcat services to and from the Isle of Wight this morning (Thursday). The historic Ryde Pier has been plunged into darkness by Storm Ciaran, which means that Wightlink is unable to operate its foot passenger services from Pier Head to Portsmouth Harbour. Staff at the dry end are advising customers to travel via Fishbourne’s car ferry instead, which continues to operate as normal. Island Echo is told that even when it gets light the Fastcat service will still be affected due to an inability to operate the gangway. UPDATE @ 07:43 – Services now have now resumed between Ryde Pier Head and Portsmouth Harbour. All Wightlink services are running to timetable. Hovertravel’s service between Ryde and Southsea is also operating. For the latest on Storm Ciaran head to https://www.islandecho.co.uk/storm-ciaran-batters-the-isle-of-wight-with-gale-force-winds-and-torrential-rain/.