MP scorns Isle of Wight Red Funnel ferry CEO over delays

Bob Seely added to the criticism of Red Funnel's service after all but one of its vessels were withdrawn following various technical issues on Saturday.

Taking aim at Red Funnel CEO Fran Collins – who is one of four remaining directors following a mass exodus last month – Mr Seely said, “It’s simply not good enough."

Foot passenger queue at Southampton on Saturday (Image: Contributions)

Read more: Eight Red Funnel directors resign amid plans to replace “ageing ferries”

On Saturday, the Red Jet service was suspended and following another technical issue with Red Funnel's vehicle ferry, more cancellations were announced.

By 6pm, the only vessel left standing was the Red Osprey vehicle ferry, after Red Eagle and Red Jet 7 were removed from service earlier in the day.

Read more: Red Jet suspended until at least TUESDAY after all vessels break down

Some customers who were hoping to catch the cancelled 4.30pm Red Jet sailing from Southampton were left waiting for hours.

On X, formally Twitter, Mr Seely said: “It’s simply not good enough, Fran Collins. Either run a bloody service or get someone else to do so.”

Read more:

• “What the heck service is this?” MP candidate among hundreds stranded by Red Funnel
• After Saturday's chaos here's which Red Funnel services are running today
• How can I claim compensation from Red Funnel and Wightlink ferries?

Isle of Wight East MP candidate Vix Lowthion was among hundreds who were stranded on Saturday (Image: Vix Lowthion)

Isle of Wight East MP candidate Vix Lowthion was one of the hundreds of Islanders stuck on the other side of the Solent and posted on X, “Red Funnel. Absolutely screwing us all over. What the heck service is this?”

Red Jet will remain out of service until at least Tuesday, with Red Jet 6 and 7 docked in Southampton after both experiencing technical issues.

Today, the Red Eagle vehicle ferry returned to service alongside Red Osprey, with the East Cowes to Southampton service operating from both side of the Solent every hour and a half.