Red-Falcon

Isle of Wight ferry passengers had to expect delays of up to 90 minutes on Red Funnel sailings on Dec 27 due to technical trouble with the'Red Falcon'. The disruption was affecting the cross-Solent operator’s East Cowes to Southampton vehicle ferry route, with several departures running significantly behind schedule. The 10.30a.m., 12 p.m., 1.30 p.m. and 3 p.m. sailings from East Cowes are experiencing delays of around one hour and 30 minutes.

There were cancellations on the Red Funnel service of the 'Red Falcon' from East Cowes to Southampton service on the morning of May 22 due to a technical issue with the aft engine. The6 a.m. departure, the 7.30 a.m. departure from Southampton and the 9 a.m. departure from East Cowes, he 10.30 a.m. departure and the 1.30 p.m. departure from Southampton and the 12 p.m. departure and 3 p.m. departure from East Cowesg were cancelled. Red Funnel is already running a reduced timetable due to ongoing essential maintenance and engineering works. Its current two-ship service had been due to end on May 19 but will continue until at least June 8.

Red Funnel has cancelled more cross-Solent vehicle ferry services on March 17, six from East Cowes and six from Southampton. It follows a raft of cancellations over the past week, including March 16, following technical problems with the 'Red Falcon'. On March 17, the sailings from Southampton at 7.30 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 1.30 p.m., 4.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. and from East Cowes at 9.a.m., 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. were cancelled due to a delay with ongoing contractual repair work with the 'Red Falcon's FWD engine. Red Funnel was running the 'Red Osprey' and, to increase available deck space, the company will also run additional sailings with the freight ferry 'Red Kestrel' while its teams was working around the clock with external contractors to address the issue, with further works necessary, including realigning of the engine timings, before sea trials can be completed.

12 Red Funnel vehicle services of the 'Red Falcon' on the Isle of Wight were cancelled on March 14 as further repairs were required on the ferry, which was taken out of service after finding a fault with her propulsion system. The 6 a.m., 9am, 12 p.m., 3 p.m., 6 p.m. and 9 p.m. departures from East Cowes and the 4.30 a.m., 7.30 a.m., 10.30 a.m., 1.30 p.m., 4.30 p.m. and 7.30 p.m. sailings from Southampton were called off. Red Funnel teams were working around the clock with external contractors to address the issue, with further works necessary (including realigning of the engine timings, before sea trials can commence, which are currently scheduled for March 15.