Red Funnel is to run a revised Red Jet timetable until at least Friday as Red Jet 6 is brought back into service again – with Blue Funnel being utilised to provide additional sailings. It has been confirmed that from tomorrow (Tuesday), the hi-speed West Cowes-Southampton service will be back up and running with just 1 craft in operation. However, additional – but much slower – sailings will be added into the revised timetable. It is anticipated that Red Jet 7, which is currently being repaired at Wight Shipyard in East Cowes, won’t be ready until at least the end of the week. Leanna Lakes, Red Funnel Operations Director, has said:
“From Tuesday 19 to Friday 22 March, our Red Jet service will operate a revised timetable while our technical team supported by external marine contractors complete essential repairs to Red Jet 7s jet propulsion system. “We understand the impact this may have on commuters, so while we work around the clock to complete the repairs, we’re providing additional crossings with Blue Funnel at peak commute times. “We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience the revised high-speed service may cause. We will provide a further update on Wednesday 20 March.”
It was on Sunday afternoon that the service ground to a halt when Red Jet 7 developed a jet propulsion system failure. Red Jet 6 was pulled on Friday afternoon due to a water jet issue too, with Red Jet 4 moored up since November – and seemingly now up for sale. The revised timetable (19th-22nd March) is as follows:
- Departing Southampton: 05:30 / 06:40 / 07:50 / 09:00 / 10:20 / 11:30 / 12:40 / 13:50 / 15:00 / 16:10 / 17:20 / 18:30 / 19:40 / 21:05 / 22:30
- Departing West Cowes: 06:05 / 07:15 / 08:25 / 09:35 / 10:55 / 12:05 / 13:15 / 14:25 / 15:35 / 16:45 / 17:55 / 19:05 / 20:15 / 21:40 / 23:05
Additional Blue Funnel crossings:
- Departing Southampton: 07:30 / 09:50 / 16:50
- Departing West Cowes: 06:30 / 08:50 / 15:50
A water taxi is being put in place between 06:00-09:00 and 15:00-18:00 to transport passengers between West Cowes and East Cowes, so passengers can travel via the vehicle ferry to Southampton. Valid Red Funnel tickets will also be accepted for free travel on Cowes Floating Bridge. For more information visit https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/red-jet-alternative-service.
