Red Jet 4 could soon be heading to the Far East as the vessel has reportedly been sold to a South Korean company. It was announced back in March that the 2003 Australian-built vessel would not be returning to Red Funnel’s West Cowes-Southampton route, with the cross-Solent operator blaming a drop in passenger numbers and growing maintenance costs for the decision. It was listed for sale online with an asking price of around £2.5million. The hi-speed craft hasn’t been in service since a major engine failure in November last year. Now, Island Echo has been told that the vessel has been purchased by a South Korean company. It’s understood that Red Jet 4 was taken out for extensive sea trials on the Solent on Wednesday 17th April, covering almost 30 miles over a 90-minute run. It was the first time that Red Jet 4 had left the Port of Southampton in well over a month. Island Echo has asked Red Funnel whether or not a buyer has been found for Red Jet 4 and, if so, who the buyer is and when the vessel will leave UK waters. However, a response has not been very forthcoming. A spokesperson for the firm has said that as soon as they are in a place to share news on Red Jet 4, they will be in touch. It’s thought that news on the future of the hi-speed vessel will be announced ‘fairly soon’. To date Red Funnel has refused to answer whether or not Red Jet 4 will be replaced by a new hi-speed craft – perhaps to be called Red Jet 8.
EXCLUSIVE: RED JET 4 ‘SOLD TO SOUTH KOREA’ AFTER SEA TRIALS – BUT RED FUNNEL WON’T CONFIRM
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I know this sounds like a stupid question but how does it get there ? It just seems a hell of a long way for a little passenger ferry to sail !
Yep,high maintenance costs and engine failure! Dought it would even cross English Chanel.
Tied to the back of a dingy.
I would imagine it was loaded onto a cargo ship for transportation.
I can’t remember which one it was, but one of the earlier Wightlink Catamarans did do the Journey from Australia. She was fitted with seating after arrival in the UK, so had the space for extra fuel tanks. However, there are ships that carry ships that can partially submerge and lift another hull out of the water. But these are relatively small craft and can be manoeuvred into specialised cargo vessels. These types of Cats are common in Asia and I’ve been on a few. The tickets are dirt cheap and virtually fly along at least twice the speed of the Island Cats. But fuel is cheaper and pollution isn’t an issue… 🙂
Seaspovill ferry company most likely – they already run boats similar to red jets and had plans to introduce new boats in 2024
It was originally built in Australia so, presumably, it could be delivered to the new owners by similar means. I am guessing that would be on the deck of a special transport ship.
If you look at the Red Jets you will see rings on the fore and aft decks for lifting it with a crane.
It will be loaded onto the deck of a cargo ship for transport.
And the sell off begins…… remember end of September and the whole lot will be sold off that is my prediction.
Some body has to buy red funnels junk
The excuse about falling passenger numbers is the worst bit.
Of course passenger numbers are going to fall if you don’t actually run a service.
Then again, sky high prices, unreliability and lack of investment probably don’t help either.
Just as well we don’t gave to rely on the ferries to, say, access vital medical services… oh wait, we do.
“The hi-speed craft hasn’t been in service since a major engine failure”
Seems to be working fine now though how convenient when they want to sell it!!
Why not sell all the ferries Wightlink and Red Funnel that’s passengers and car and build a bridge, won’t be able to stop because of bad weather, strikes or mechanical issues
The Bridge could be based at Fort Victoria
it would bring much needed business etc to the island.
Send them all and build a bridge.
The island would be a success if a Bridge was built.
no it wouldn’t – it would enable the deadbeat, sponging, freeloading dinghy immigrants to turn up en masse and camp on the roadsides – the ferries prevent that from happening
Of course passenger numbers are declining because nobody trusts them to provide a reliable service.
Passenger numbers declining because people can’t afford to travel on them.
People cannot afford the fares
Use it to replace the chain ferry ⛴️
Deck cargo most likely.
Good job it’s not being sold to North Korea, when they found out how cr*p it is we would be Nuked……