ENGINE TROUBLE FORCES RED FUNNEL TO AXE WEDNESDAY AND THURSDAY FERRY SAILINGS

Fresh issues with Red Eagle’s aft main engine have led to the cancellation of a number of Red Funnel sailings this afternoon (Wednesday).

The 15:00 and 18:00 sailings from Southampton have been pulled, alongside the 16:30 and 19:30 sailings from East Cowes.

The 17:30 from East Cowes is also likely to be delayed by 1 hour.

Initially, the cross-Solent operator cancelled sailings due to ‘unplanned maintenance to a critical item of equipment’.

Now, Red Funnel says the cancellations are to facilitate essential repairs to Red Eagle’s aft engine.

It is unclear at this early stage if there will be further disruption to services today, or in the coming days.

UPDATE @ 16:44 – Red Funnel has now confirmed a number of sailings have been cancelled on Thursday morning.

The 05:00, 08:00 and 11:00 timetabled sailings from Southampton have been cancelled, alongside the 06:30, 09:30 and 12:30 sailings from East Cowes.