Red Funnel have suspended their vehicle ferry service between East Cowes and Southampton this morning (Tuesday).
Foggy conditions on the Solent, which has reduced visibility below what is permitted to enter or exit Cowes Harbour, means the service has ground to a halt.
Red Falcon is currently holding off just off the Gurnard shore, meaning passengers may be at sea for some time. Red Osprey has not yet left the Southampton terminal.
The cross-Solent operator has not given an estimated time on when services will resume, simply stating that the ferries are suspended until further notice.
Hi-Speed Red Jet services between West Cowes and Southampton are continuing at this moment in time.
A yellow weather warning for fog is in force for the Isle of Wight until 13:00 today, as previously reported by Island Echo.
UPDATE – Services have resumed, but Red Funnel advise the 12:00 sailing from East Cowes to Southampton has been cancelled.
Absolutely disgusting I know someone who should be on the 07.30 this morning who finally boarded at 09.35 only to be told now that they will be further delays due to fog.The lounges are absolutely freezing so they are now stuck on the ferry at cowes nowhere to go…shame on you Red funnel.Dont you have bloody modern technology yet??
Wrong type of fog apparently.Good job their not bringing the vaccine over we will be on tier 3 next
Safety first
Yup I’m that person it’s disgusting!
To top it off the crew members joking about saving fuel!
As you are an expert in this field .please tell us all ,which specific technology you are referring too and explain how it works . Thank you.
Radar!.Knowing what’s ahead.How do they sail at night?
Radar won’t help you get dockside .
No, but laser technology would
Comment as silly to a sailor as suggesting you have winning lotto ticket.
What you have to remember Gary is that although Red Funnel may have those new fangled inventions of radar etc, some boat/vessel users do not, or are somewhat inept at their use or adhering to the nautical ‘rules of the road’.
ALSO, Red Funnel are restricted officially as regards when they can operate in reduced visibility.
Maybe it is simply a case of putting passenger’s safety first and foremost ? God forbid if there were to be an accident, and hundreds of people were to lose their lives; would you then berate them for having took the risk ?
No delays or cancellations due to fog, high winds, staff sickness, lower than average tides etc etc, when the tunnel is open solentfreedomtunnel.co.uk