Cross-Solent travel has been thrown into chaos this afternoon (Friday) as Storm Austen batters the Isle of Wight, causing widespread disruption to Red Funnel, Wightlink and Hovertravel services.
The severe weather has affected both vehicle and passenger ferry routes, with strong winds and rough seas making conditions increasingly challenging across the Solent.
Hovertravel has suspended its service between Ryde and Southsea, while Wightlink has cancelled a number of sailings across its Portsmouth-Fishbourne, Portsmouth Harbour-Ryde Pier Head and Lymington-Yarmouth routes.
Red Funnel’s vehicle ferry between East Cowes and Southampton was operating earlier today, but has since suspended services with the vessel struggling to dock in Southampton earlier this afternoon. The latest operating position of the Red Jet service between West Cowes and Southampton has also not been independently verified.
The storm has brought powerful winds to the Island, with IW Met Service forecasting gusts of up to 60mph and potentially exceeding 70mph in some locations.
A yellow weather warning remains in force until 20:00 tonight.
