UPDATED: Red Funnel have been forced to cancel a number of car ferry sailings tonight (Saturday) following a collision between one of the company’s ferries and another vessel in the Solent.
Calshot RNLI were tasked to launch at around 16:40 this afternoon after reports were received by Solent Coastguard that a motorboat had come into contact with the Red Falcon ferry.
Island Echo understands the damaged boat managed to limp back to Cowes Harbour from the scene of the incident off Calshot Spit. The cruiser was met by The Needles Coastguard Rescue Team.
Once on shore 2 casualties from the boat were checked over by paramedics from the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service. Thankfully, they did not require any further treatment.
Red Funnel have now pulled the 19:15 car ferry sailing from Southampton and the 21:00 from East Cowes due to what they are calling ‘operational reasons’.
Hampshire Constabulary’s Roads Policing Unit have been present at Red Funnel’s mainland terminal this evening.
It was only 2 days ago during thick fog that one of Red Funnel’s car ferries crashed into a number of moored boats and a marker in Cowes Harbour.
UPDATE @ 19:36 – Red Funnel have issued a statement confirming the collision.
A spokesperson for Red Funnel said:
“We can confirm that our vehicle ferry Red Falcon was involved in an incident with a motorboat at approximately 16:40 this afternoon (29 September) whilst approaching East Cowes.
“Red Falcon sustained no damage and no one was injured on the ferry.
“All appropriate external agencies have been contacted.
“The safety of its passengers, crew and other marine users is Red Funnel’s highest priority and this incident will be fully investigated”.
The 22:30 sailing is expected to sail as normal.
