UPDATED: Significant delays are being experienced to Wightlink services between Fishbourne and Portsmouth this morning (Saturday) following the breakdown of the St Faith car ferry mid-Solent.
Island Echo readers have got in touch to express their anger at the incident, which has seen the 08:00 ferry crossing from Portsmouth break down during whilst en-route to the Isle of Wight.
A tug, the SD Bountiful, has been called upon to take the ageing St Faith vessel into port.
The ferry company say significant delays are being experienced on the cross-Solent route this morning, however have been unable to provide any further details other than a ‘technical problem’ has resulted in the disruption.
UPDATE @ 10:30 – A spokesperson for Wightlink has this morning confirmed that St Faith suffered an engine problem 20 minutes into the crossing from Portsmouth and the Master made the decision to return to the mainland, assisted by a tug.
All the vehicles on board have been safety discharged at Portsmouth Gunwharf and will be carried to the Isle of Wight on a later sailing.
The St Faith’s crew are transferring to St Helen, which will enter service for the rest of the day. Engineers are now working on St Faith, which is 25 years old today, to repair the engine.
The next sailing from Portsmouth will be the St Clare at 11:00, followed by the St Helen at 12:00.
Wightlink is sorry for the delays caused to customers by this technical problem.
