Red Funnel are expecting disruption on their vehicle ferry service over the Bank Holiday Weekend as a result of Red Osprey being unexpectedly pulled from service.
Following a routine inspection aboard Red Osprey, defects have been noted on the vessel’s aft main engine and the Voith propulsion system. While the defects are not serious enough to affect the safe operation of the vessel, it is important that immediate repairs are undertaken to prevent greater damage.
The vessel has been withdrawn from service with immediate effect and repairs are expected to be completed by the end of the weekend.
The withdrawal of Red Osprey from service is expected to cause disruption to Red Funnel’s East Cowes – Southampton timetable into the long weekend.
Leanna Lakes, Operations Director, Red Funnel said:
“We truly apologise for the anticipated disruption to our vehicle ferry service between Southampton and East Cowes, especially as we head into the bank holiday weekend.
“Our teams shore-side and on-board will be working extremely hard and doing their very best to help passengers get to their destination as quickly and as safely as possible.
“We recognise that the interruption could not have come at a worse time, especially for those with holiday plans and for this, we sincerely apologise. We will keep customers informed of our progress and hope to resolve this matter as quickly as possible.”
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All affected passengers with existing bookings will be contacted by Red Funnel and receive the latest information about revised expected departure times.
Any customers wishing to amend their booking between now and the end of the bank holiday weekend can do so free of charge, with no additional amendment fees. Customers wishing to cancel their booking can also do so and receive a full refund, with no added cancellation fees.
Customers without a booking are advised not to arrive to the vehicle ferry terminals. This advice applies to all passengers travelling with private vehicles, including motorcycles, scooters, as well as pushbikes.
Red Funnel has taken measures to maximise space for private vehicle traffic aboard its other 2 vehicle ferries, Red Falcon and Red Eagle. Red Kestrel, Red Funnel’s ‘freight only’ ferry, will be brought in to complete additional (previously unscheduled) trips, freeing more vehicle deck space for non-freight vehicle traffic.
With the current passenger capacity of the vehicle ferries capped at 500, in response to COVID-19 social distancing measures, the company is also redirecting all foot passenger traffic to its Hi-Speed Red Jet service, which is currently running to timetable. See www.redfunnel.co.uk/RedJet for timetables.
The company will also be arranging transport to help streamline foot passenger movement between East and West Cowes.
Red Funnel customer service teams will be on hand to assist customers with amendments, refunds and queries. The teams can be reached via 02380 019192 between 08:00-19:00 Monday to Friday and 08:00-18:00 on weekends, including bank holiday Monday. Requests and queries can also be sent via email to [email protected].
Those customers who are not scheduled to travel right away may also find it easier to use the company’s online contact form at https://www.redfunnel.co.uk/disruption-amends.
Customers with existing bookings should consult the company’s ‘Live Service Status’ page for the latest expected departure times for current bookings and can visit www.redfunnel.co.uk/Service for full details.
Scooter mayhem for those still attending the cancelled event.
Usual balls up for Bank holiday weekend.
It will be like last Friday, impossible to socially distance due to overcrowded boats, no seats so a constant flow of people walking around ignoring the poorly advised one way system, no masks or incorrectly fitted ones (around the chin, neck, arm) being worn by lots of passengers. A total nightmare journey from an essential hospital appointment, for a vulnerable traveller. I wish all travellers a safer Journey than mine last week.
A likely story……i`m not wholly convinced of.
Have you ever heard of the five P’s? I’ll let you research it…We want people to come back to the island not frustrate them that they don’t comeback. Your poor frontline staff are really going to get in the neck but you want give a monkeys?! You all will be too busy in the boardroom patting yourselves on the back. Pathetic. Red funnel & Wightlink USELESS!!
No Priority what so ever for islanders. I am booked on the 8pm this evening to come home same as every week, now not getting over until 1am ! As an essential service to the island Red Funnel should be made to make some priority for people that live on the island. Really bad service again !
Sorry, but why should an islander working on the mainland take priority over a mainlander working on the island?
All it needs now is shit link to come up with a
” technical problem ” and it will be island chaos I would suggest that the iwcc should have taken them over when they were for sale but then look at the floating bridge feasco so most of all fell sorry for the people of the Isle of Wight
Perfect Timing!
“The company will also be arranging transport to help streamline foot passenger movement between East and West Cowes.”
This I’ve got to see! Will they choose the super new high-speed Newport/St Mary’s route or prefer the more relliable Floating Bridge?
Perhaps that’s where the’spare’ ferry got to, parked across the Medina, sort of ‘walk on–walk off’.
Once upon a time, (no, it didn’t use to be a fairy story) Red Funnel would have had another boat standing by for such an occasion. Of course it’s not a service any more just a business where the only thing that matters is ‘the bottom line’
Same same old from the ferry company’s the sooner a bridge is built the better yes it will attract more people but if priced right then will still keep away the unwanted etc just people would not have to put up with the piss poor service / over priced ferry company’s joke
Tunnel is better, not affected by fog or high winds solentfreedomtunnel.co.uk
These problems will be around forever, as the ferries are so unreliable. The fixed link viability study is waiting to be performed. Donate here: https://solentfreedomtunnel.co.uk/crowd-funding-for-the-arup-viability-study/
With all the technology available to us today, why do our ferry services break down so frequently? Just asking!