An issue with the Red Osprey car ferry has led to drivers having to reverse their vehicles off the 18:00 sailing from Southampton this evening (Tuesday).
It’s said that fumes or smoke has been identified in the engine room of the Red Funnel ferry, caused by an issue with the exhaust bellows, meaning the vessel has to be taken out of service.
Vehicles are currently being unloaded back onto the quayside at Berth 25 – which is being used temporarily whilst works are undertaken at Red Funnel’s Terminal 1.
Passengers say they expect Red Falcon to dock shortly with hopes that they can be squeezed onto the next sailing. However, the main upper deck is not being used due to the temporary berthing arrangements.
Delays are expected on the East Cowes-Southampton service tonight with confirmation that the 18:00 and 21:00 sailings from Southampton have been cancelled.
Red Funnel apologises for any inconvenience to your journey.
UPDATE @ 20:16 – Those booked on the 18:00 sailing from Southampton have now departed, 2 hours later than planned.
The 19:30 sailing has been delayed by 45 minutes, with the 21:00 still cancelled.
UPDATE @ 21:15 – The 22:30 sailing from East Cowes has now also been cancelled.
I would mention the idea of a bridge but I fear I may get shouted down.
Only because I’d prefer a tunnel
Totally agree. Enoughs enough. Horrendous prices, service failures, “sickness” & every other excuse these companies come out with to stop the ferries or hike the prices. Yes we choose to live here & I have all my life, we do need to change with the times. A tunnel would be the best option. And believe me, I never thought I’d ever say that!
Bridge/ Tunnel Broken down lorry, need I say more?
Yes, because other vehicles could go around a broken down vehicle; just like bridges and tunnels experience all over the world.
That’s a good idea – More traffic clogging up Island roads…..
Will be less traffic as we’ll be able to get of this rotten shit hole.
If that’s what you think, then move to the mainland instead of whinging.
You will be sadly missed, your ” rotten shit hole ” is a beautiful Island full of beauty being ruined by an economic system, that includes local Island council, National government and local scum, the same problem largely exists across the UK, ask the people of London or Scotland or many inner cities and they will tell you the same, your ” rotten shit hole ” is loved by much of the Island people who just want to live with respect and decency without being treated like second class citizens.
A cheaper and / or quicker alternative to the ferries could benefit everyone from cheaper goods in shops, more island investment and easier access to healthcare.
Agree open us up as The Garden Isle and lets start producing own crops more to supply local shops and even supermarkets. Too many fields laying empty and non productive. We also need an Abattoir that would save a load of time and money along with being less stressful for the animals.
How do you make that out? There would be just as many leaving as coming as they do on the ferrys, Think about the freedom of day trips and airport runs etc. Make the tunnel a 30mph speed limit with cameras and there would next to zero accidents
The irony that this would not have happened had someone listened to this sound wisdom because when it was first seriously mentioned, by now, the bridge would have been built. A 2 quid toll charge would suffice for several years. But I will say that island life would change DRASTICALLY; choose one or the other with great care
What do you expect with out dated ferries and a company who only wants profit
Poor service and overpriced total rip off
I rest my case
There is only one reason people want a tunnel/Bridge, because the CURRENT providers of all colours fail this Island miserably in every way shape and form, This island requires a transport system that keeps this Island an ISLAND, that is fit for purpose and generally respected by Islanders, currently the providers of transport to/from this ISLAND are unfit for purpose and abuse the Island for profit.
Why would anyone want to be bothered planning a visit to the Island as ferry cancellations are normal now, what a mess it all is.
Yes and very expensive!
I’ve literally just booked a week in Devoncliffs; which cost £25 less than the ferry did to get there!
Agreed, infact I had the conversation about the fares and reliability yesterday with someone I was visiting on the mainland .. and ironcally was one of the drivers who had to reverso off and wait. I couldn’t help but wonder why the shareholders weren’t there to see what was going on and to help out …
Well it will be a one boat service if they dont fix osprey as eagle is still in Falmouth with buggered main engine maybe red funnel could do with a management shake up .
it has two women in charge that couldn’t maintain a vacuume cleaner
At least they can spell Vacuum….
It’s 2023 old man, take your misogyny back to the 60’s please, along with your breath.
I totally agree with what Steph & Margaret have posted
Are we really in the 21st C?
I know of four people in the last year that were force to move to the mainland with their families because they could no longer reliably get to work.
I’m in process, don’t really want to leave the island but jobs in my sector pay 15k more on mainland and it’s not a mission to get off every time your want to see a friend or family.
nostalgia vs practicality, build the tunnel now and end the solent pirates.
We would still be ripped off for tolls, if a tunnel or bridge were built.
you get ripped off on the ferries, at least a tunnel would be on time, not cancelled, or broken down like the boats.
”Red Funnel apologise for any inconvenience to your journey”!!!!
When will this dreadful “organisation” learn to apologise for THE inconvenience to their financially fleeced customers?
I’m not sure of the legal framework, but would a franchising model work with the ferries as it does with the railway?
If a train company delays or cancels one of its own services due to a fault or lack of crew, it is hit with massive financial penalties (ranging from £160 per minute of delay to £35000 for a full cancellation), which serve as an incentive to maintain good operations.
The only beneficiaries of the way in which the railways are set up are the lawyers and accountants.
The most expensive strip of water in the world!
I think the saying goes Red Funnel couldn’t run a xxxxx up in a brewery
I’m not even going to make a comment apart from
Uselessness
What is up with RF lately, taken out for annual or 6 monthly check and they still return with issues. Who is actually running this company as I would question their ability to do so. I am sure the British are capable of devising a better entry and exit system to the Island rather than relying on the extortionate charges and poor service of ferries. We did manage to create the PLUTO line and meet up with France under the English Channel, the Solent should be a doddle.
BORING …. BUILD A BRIDGE