There is yet more disruption for those crossing the Solent with Red Funnel as another engine issue has arisen on board one of the Raptor-class vehicle ferries, leading to delays and cancellations this Bank Holiday Monday.
The 07:30 sailing from East Cowes broke down near Fawley with what has been described as a fault with a pump on Red Falcon’s Aft engine.
Falcon has slowly travelled up Southampton Water, with a tug now requested to assist the ferry into port to unload vehicles and passengers destined for the mainland.
Red Funnel has confirmed that the 09:00 and 12:00 sailings from Southampton have been cancelled as a result of this morning’s issue, as have the 10:30 and 13:30 sailings from East Cowes.
Similar situations in recent months tells us that further cancellations are likely throughout the day, as many holidaymakers and other visitors return home after a sunny Bank Holiday Weekend on the Isle of Wight.
Red Funnel apologises for any inconvenience.
This news is a double blow to Red Funnel customers as the cross-Solent operator has already announced last-minute cancellations on its Red Jet hi-speed service today.
For the Bank Holiday, Red Funnel had timetabled additional hi-speed sailings – but announced this morning that those extra crossings have been pulled due to a lack of staff.
A one-boat service is now back in operation meaning the 08:25, 09:35, 10:55, 12:05 and 13:15 sailings from Southampton have been cancelled, as have the 07:50? 09:00? 11:30 and 12:40 sailings from West Cowes.
Meanwhile, in Ryde, Wightlink have had to cancel their 08:45 shuttle crossing (which is operating due to the breakdown of both Wight Ryder catamarans), due to the need to refuel the charter vessel.
