ENGINE TROUBLES HIT RED FUNNEL AGAIN WITH NEW CANCELLATIONS

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.