Cross-Solent travel operator Red Funnel has suspended vehicle ferry between East Cowes and Southampton until further notice this morning (Saturday). The decision has been taken after Red Osprey developed a technical issue with its Propulsion Unit. Island Echo readers have said they have been stuck onboard the car ferry at its berth in East Cowes since around 07:30 due to the vessel being unable to dock in Southampton. This came about after Red Osprey – which was stranded in Southampton – developed a fault with its forward Voith Filter Unit and needed to be moved by tug boats. Firstly the 09:00 from East Cowes was cancelled, but now Red Funnel have said that its vehicle ferry service is suspended until further notice. UPDATE @ 09:40 – Red Funnel has confirmed that the 10:30 and 13:30 from Southampton and 12:00 from East Cowes are cancelled. Delays of up to 3 hours are expected for booked customers. No more cancellations are currently advertised on the Red Funnel website. Red Osprey has been withdrawn from service with just Red Eagle in action. Red Funnel have apologised for any inconvenience caused.
UPDATED: RED FUNNEL VEHICLE FERRY CROSSINGS CANCELLED DUE TO TECHNICAL ISSUE
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I assume this means either the Red Osprey is unable to be tugged from the Dock in Southampton or the ‘Propulsion Unit’ has a critical safety fault which must also affect the Red Eagle too.
Perhaps they could run a limited service on the Red Kestrel as a backup plan?
‘Fraid not… that will mean losing even more money…. best to leave travellers to their misery and get on with another tea break 🙁
So where is Red Falcon?
Ah – Red Falcon in Falmouth,
It might have been nice to put this on the website !!!!!!
Went over for ferry only to be told no go , feel sorry for the staff at the ticket office, everyone moaning but it’s not their fault I blame management, I got a text @ 9am ,,,,,,, the time my ferry was Booked…….
Had already waited 20 minutes plus in queue …..
Nobody walked up and down to inform us ??????
Why don’t they buy some new boats to replace these aging rust buckets instead of ruining East Cowes.
Arrived for the 9 ferry, over 2 hours waiting to be told any news, so had to go and ask , no customer relation training , no “sorry “here have a cafe voucher, or so sorry, please have a refund as we can not guaranty you will be back home any when today after waiting since 7.30, so left at 10.15 . wight link next time i think.
We we’re told at 8-30 am as we went through the kiosk !
Can’t understand why you weren’t???…
Definitely a big co-k up with management, poor front line staff taking all the flack …
Should have been offered compensation when changing booking !!!!
Not even an apology….
https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/service-disruption-claims
Claim some compensation.
I agree maybe if Red Funnel could be held financially responsible and many people claim off them ,I think they would soon get their act together ps poor again from Red Funnel as always
I use and I mean use red funnel twice a year during their winter timetable period , other times I’m in fortunate position to get across the Solent by other transport (boat) then hire a car on the other side far cheaper far far cheaper than those pounds red funnel want me to part with ….
How the hell with these 2 ferry companies having the monopoly are you meant to have a life? If you make arrangements for getting together with family and friends to meet up, will the restaurant move your table booking by an hour and half to accommodate you? Likewise hospital appointments etc.,
Oh dear dear dear, those maintenance people are so poor at their job.
Any other company would have sacked them.
Maintenance? What’s that? Accountants don’t believe in maintenence; they’d rather see failure and then repair and hang the customers.
Just like Wightlink, they outsource most engineering tasks to the lowest bidder.
Got to Southampton at 7am this morning with no hint of any problems. First we knew of a problem was at 07:40 when staff came round with water and hot drinks tokens. No other info other than it was cancelled. Never told that the 09:30 was cancelled either, despite this being obvious as the stricken ferry was still in berth. Staff on the outside saying different things to those on the inside. Worse thing, staff couldn’t issue refunds or amend bookings as no managers were on site. Gave up at 9am and started the 2 and a half hour drive home.
Luckily, have now managed to re-bookj for 9th December.
Waited in foot passenger area for delayed 16-30pm East cowes ferry to Southampton..white board clearly stated 18-00departure..at 17.38 member came in ranting for us to board asap , waved thru no checking of fare.
Red funnel your either running a business or not…amatures….
Anyone impacted by these delays please claim using this link https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/service-disruption-claims
The more people that claim the more pressure on RF to get their act together in terms of better maintenance/staffing.