Passengers aboard Red Funnel’s Hi-Speed service between West Cowes and Southampton have reportedly been escorted back to Southampton by tug following an engine malfunction.
Island Echo was first informed of issues involving the vessel at just after 13:00 with passengers on board claiming that the newest of the Hi-Speed fleet had suffered a malfunction whilst mid-journey across the Solent.
One passenger told our reporter that the vessel was awaiting assistance by a tug in Southampton Water following the issues and had been left ‘bobbing about’.
The dual failure reportedly comes after an engine apparently failed mid-crossing on the vessel’s journey to Cowes. The second failure has taken place on its departure from Southampton.
Island Echo has contacted the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Red Funnel for comments regarding the situation.
UPDATE @ 13:35 – Red Funnel has now confirmed that the Red Jet at 13:35 from Southampton and the 14:15 from West Cowes have been cancelled following ‘ a mechanical fault with the outer main engine on Red Jet 7’.
It’s understood that passengers have now been disembarked at the Southampton terminal with the stricken vessel being moved by tug to a spare berth.
UPDATE @ 14:08 – Red Funnel has now issued a formal statement regarding the incident in which tugs escorted a malfunctioning Red Jet 7 to safety at its Southampton berth. All 54 passengers were able to disembark safely with some being transferred to a waiting vehicle ferry.
The vessel suffered a low fuel pressure alert causing it to need assistance, however, according to Red Funnel, was maneuverable at all times.
A spokesperson from Red Funnel said:
“The safety of our customers and colleagues is our number one priority and at this time, the 13:35 service from Southampton, and 14.15 service from West Cowes have been cancelled to allow for repairs to be made to Red Jet 7. There is a possibility that more crossings may need to be cancelled. We will issue another update along with further updates to our live service status as soon as we have more information. We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause to some of our passengers.
“Our engineers are working hard to get Red Jet 7 back in service as quickly as possible. We encourage customers to consider using our vehicle ferry service as an alternative option, which is currently running to timetable.”
UPDATE @ 16:18 – Red Funnel has issued a further statement announcing further cancellations.
A Red Funnel spokesperson said:
“Following an assessment by our engineers, our team is working to repair Red Jet 7 following a low fuel pressure alert on the port outer main engine. The 16:55 and 18:15 services from Southampton and the 17:35 and 18:55 services from West Cowes have been cancelled to allow essential repairs to be made.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this will cause and we are keeping customers updated through text alerts, social media updates and our live service status. We will provide a further update this evening with details of any further changes to the timetable.
“Our engineers are working hard to get Red Jet 7 back in service as quickly as possible. We encourage customers to consider using our vehicle ferry service as an alternative option, which is currently running to timetable.”
Ut oh!!!!!? Just bobbing about then. Not the same engineers who built the Floating Bridge No 6 I hope!!!!!!
Luckily for all on board, there was someone willing to give them a good tug.
Makes me wish I didn’t go by ferry now
It’s mechanical so it breaks down.
Tunnels aren’t and don’t.
Very simple.
I completely agree, apart from you fail to mention that vehicles could break down in a tunnel, what would happen for instance, if 2 automatics broke down alongside each other? Can’t push or tow them out the way
Turn the igntion on and select neutral roll them where you want then
Ah not quite true, read the history of Channel tunnel.
Since when the channel tunnel is related?
Almost as boring as Sturgeon going on about independence
One day this island will catch up with the times and a bridge or tunnel made.
When they runout of building space maybe…
Great service at least tow it to Cowes first and let the people off. Its is a long walk from East Cowes via Newport if Floating bridge is out. Start digging a tunnel now, a tidal barrage one end and a tunnel the other.
As always, these ferry operators try to downplay the seriousness of the failure.
Serious? No one was in any danger at any time.
Bring the feasibility study and fixed link!! Solent travel disruptions are becoming more and more frequent, it’s getting beyond a joke
Hmm, dual engine failure, one on the way to Cowes, then a second departing Cowes to Southampton.. surely the first failure would suggest it isn’t safe to commence to Cowes to Southampton voyage without full availability of propulsion. This should be referred to the MAIB for a full investigation to ensure that the companies decision making is safe, as well as the operation of their vessels
I’m not sure if your aware RJ6 and RJ7 have 4 engines and 4 water jets.
The ferry companies are killing the Island. Unreliable and expensive. Killing tourism and business. The MP has too many interests in ferries and has failed in his vision to sort them out. We need a fixed link before Island just becomes a derelict Island full of care homes and second homes left empty.
Bring on the fixed link…. what is this, the dark ages!
I find the people that oppose it most are overners that moved here and now want to tell us how its going to be.
Just build a bridge how long are we going to be held hostage by the ferry companies
Well said
Fixed link!! A tunnel can’t break down!!