Red Funnel’s Red Eagle vehicle ferry has suffered a break down on passage from Southampton to East Cowes this morning (Wednesday) – with loud noises echoing out from the vessel.
The 09:00 sailing from Southampton was on its final approach to East Cowes terminal when, just off Cowes Parade, a serious-sounding problem developed.
Witnesses have described hearing a loud noise coming from the ro-ro ferry, before a puff of black smoke was seen from the funnel.
UPDATE @ 10:15 – The ferry is now continuing on its journey to East Cowes, albeit at a slower than usual speed.
UPDATE @ 12:50 – It has been confirmed that an anchor was lost on the approach to Cowes Harbour this morning.
In a statement, a Red Funnel spokesperson has said:
“Red Eagle lost one of her two anchors in the approach to Cowes Harbour following her 09:00 crossing from Southampton to East Cowes this morning.
“Following a short delay in berthing, passengers and vehicles disembarked normally and the vessel was kept alongside to permit a precautionary inspection.
Article continues below this advertisement “Red Eagle subsequently departed East Cowes just after 11:30 and is returning to Southampton where a dive team will inspect Red Eagle’s hull prior to her return to service, in addition to undertaking a preliminary investigation into the cause of the incident.
“The time required to complete this and return Red Eagle back into service is unknown at this time but we will endeavour to work as quickly as we can and will continue to keep our customers informed”.
The following sailings have been cancelled for today, Wednesday 2nd October:
- 10:30 East Cowes to Southampton
- 12:00 Southampton to East Cowes
- 13:30 East Cowes to Southampton
- 15:00 Southampton to East Cowes
- 16:30 East Cowes to Southampton
- 18:00 Southampton to East Cowes
- 19:30 East Cowes to Southampton
The spokesperson continued:
“We are very sorry for the inconvenience this unexpected situation has caused for customers travelling with us today and we thank everyone for their patience as we ensure it is safe to put Red Eagle back into service. Safety is our top priority and our teams on the ground are working very hard to support our customers with alternative travel options”.
Sounds like a baffle plate on the Jeffries tube shield generator .
No it’s the noise reduction flip flop that’s why it made a load noise!
That noise sounds like we need a tunnel or bridge which would be more reliable and cost effective for us to cross.
Heaven forbid.
Why don’t you just move to the mainland, you obviously do not like the Isle of Wight.
Why does having an alternative view on travel links mean someone does not like the isle of wight, I don’t see the connection???
Like the pun!
Can you imagine the cost !!! The only thing cheap on that island is manual labour.
It’s about time that the ferry companies decreased their fares, with the amount of cancellations they have.
What a good idea, RO RO, RO your boat.
That’s the sound of the fixed link plans being accepted and stamped.
Why don’t you just move to the mainland, you obviously do not like the Isle of Wight.
Fine, if you want the Island turned into commuter belt with only the top 15% being able to afford to live here, what that is the sound of, is penny pinching on maintenance, and just adequate budget original spec engines.
Why are you so set on ruining the island with a fixed link? I suspect that your reasons are purely selfish. People know the problems involve with living on an Island when they move here, then continually complain. If you don’t like it, go to the mainland, you won’t be missed. I moved here many years ago, fully aware of the ferry fares etc. If I had not been prepared to accept all this, I would not have moved here.
“People know the problems involve with living on an Island when they move here”
Actually I was born & bred here & I’d still liek the option of a fixed link !
Be careful what you wish for fixed link means the traffic will will go up ten fold plus it is no longer an island
The latest info is. The red eagle is still docked at East Cowes terminal. Red funnel have to wait for permission to move the ferry.
Another ferry is waiting to dock. As yet information is patchy…..
All very well except several of us here at the terminal have flights booked….
Wouldn’t be a problem with a tunnel. Just wait till hurricanes become more frequent with global warming & dont even mention fog.
Theres alaways alot of doom sayers but it wouldn’t change the island, we’d just all get to the airports on time at a more sensible price.
Wouldn’t be a problem if you lived on the mainland, perhaps being on an island isn’t for you.
At last.
Red eagle has now moved off the berth.
The next ferry is going to dock. Red Funnel is now saying 20 min before service resumes….
Only can hope. At least 4 of us in the que have flights booked.
They lost the anchor!!! That’s the sound!! Anchor running out completely lost!!
Definitely thrown a shoe.
Only equestrians will get this
I’m on the boat. Just leave 12.20. Was booked for 11:30 Have hospital appointment. Lucky I left early. A fixed link argument is growing stronger. I don’t want one. But may have to change my mind. Money saving on maintenance causing too many break downs.
Sat for 2 hours waiting for return trip. Ferry companies need to be fined for every break down so it’s more cost effective to maintain their boats. At the moment they make money every time a boat is cancelled.
Whoever was supposed to be holding the other end when it was thrown over the side is in for it!!! 🙂
Fixed Link please. This is getting out of hand. I have lived on the Island half my life and don’t recall this happening so often. Has anyone got the interrupted service statistics for the last two/three years. I have lost count.
If you want a fixed link move to the mainland and leave the Island to folks who enjoy living here. On the mainland you have fixed links to Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and France. The ferry terminaks are clearly signposted!!
Why not just move to the mainland and leave the island to those who want to live here. On the mainland you can enjoy fixed links to Cornwall, Wales, Scotland and France. The ferry terminals are well sign posted…you might just have to wait for the ferry to arrive.
Cenwulf, why does having an alternative view on travel links to the mainland mean someone does not like the isle of wight, I don’t see the connection??? Do you also think that the people who supported the channel tunnel should have just moved to France?
Sorry, but I watch that video and hear the Benny Hill soundtrack! Haven’t laughed this much in ages…… Red Funnel don’t do much for our image do they???
Breakdowns, and mechanical failures, happen, however well maintained something is. It is a fact of life.
At least Red Funnel are still running a service, as it is only one of three effected.
Unlike the FB.
Usual boring comments about fixed link. Nobody wants to pay for it ,themainland counties which would be affected are not interested, the majority of the island population are not interested, everybody stays silent when the crossings are running well. The easiest thing is if you are not happy move to the mainland and whinge about something else.If we actually
interviewed the moaners i bet the majority have nothing interesting happening in their lives.
Think I saw an anchor on Ebay. one careful owner
Doubt it is ‘one careful owner’ seeing as how many times the vessels break down:)
Still stuck on the ship of the dammed on my final jurney to purgatory, being left to rot for a life of sin. Be good or you could also find yourself banished to the Isle of Wight. ……
Omg it’s life things break down! Or have other equipment failures!
Just get on with and stop moaning, if you don’t like it move move back to the mainland and stay there and never return!!!!!!!!!!!!
This island is so full of mainlanders trying to change things and moaning about everything!!
kEEP THE ISLAND AN ISLAND
I guess it’s not an issue for you “West Wighter”, with your webbed feet and extra toes you can swim to the mainland in minutes. 😀
Oops looks like I hit a nerve there lol!!
Maybe it’s time you moved back………
Don’t come to the Isle of Wight then ! Most of love the Island the way it is and we don’t want a fixed link. Imagine how much it would cost to go or come from the mainland.
“Imagine how much it would cost to go or come from the mainland.” A lot cheaper and quicker?????
A cheap option to dredge the silt building up at the outer breakwater.
They did that this year
Red funnel need to buck their ideas up. Constant cancellations,late running even after new loading procedures they implemented, poor treatment of wheelchair users/disabled passengers,cost of travel for frequent users. They are stirring up trouble between residents of Island and deterring visitors from coming to the island.
Reminds me time I wrote a letter to them as no toilets at the time few yrs ago reply I got was rude and had to laugh when at bottom of letter It i don’t look disabled I’m not my son has sen but what does dissabled look like?