UPDATED:SATURDAY NIGHT MISERY AS WIGHTLINK CANCELLATIONS LEAVES MOTORISTS STRANDED OVERNIGHT

Motorists trying to return to the Island are expressing their anger tonight (Saturday) as the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry service is suspended until Sunday morning. 

This article first appeard in the Island Echo. See here.

Ferries from Portsmouth were cancelled as of 22:00 and 23:00 from Fishbourne.

Wightlink announced their cancellations on X 25 minutes after the 22:00 sailing was due to depart the mainland. It reads:

“Sorry, due to a technical issue, there will be no sailings after 2200 from Ports and 2300 from Fish tonight, Sat 24 Feb until our scheduled service begins again at 0500hrs Sun 25 Feb.

The ferry operator has said they have put on an additional sailing for late-night travellers, albeit on foot.

“There will be an additional FastCat sailing from H-R at 0015 for any late night travellers.”

One Islander has expressed their frustration on social media tonight as they are now stuck on the mainland for 5-and-a-half hours until the first sailing of Sunday morning gets underway.

The customer was informed when they arrived, that the ferries were cancelled for the rest of the day and that they should have received an email, which subsequently, was sent 30 minutes before they arrived at the terminal.

Motorists are unable to switch to Red Funnel either, as there are now no sailings until 06:00 from Southampton and 07:30 from East Cowes.

UPDATE @ 00:30 – Wightlink staff are handing out sandwiches and hot drinks to those waiting at their terminal who have a long few hours ahead of them waiting for the first ferry to start up for the day.

UPDATE SUNDAY – A spokesperson for Wightlink has said:

“Unfortunately, due to a technical issue, Wightlink had to cancel four crossings on its ferry St Faith between Portsmouth and Fishbourne on Saturday night.

 

“Extra sailings from Portsmouth Harbour were laid on for foot passengers and refreshments were provided for customers who decided to wait for the next car ferry sailing. All affected passengers were contacted and advised of their options, and how to claim the compensation to which they are entitled. Wightlink apologies for the delays and inconvenience caused to customers as a result of these cancelled sailings.

 

“Wightlink has an excellent reliability record. Over the last three months, it has operated more than 99% of scheduled sailings.