AFTER two months of cross-Solent delays, breakdowns and failings, the Isle of Wight MP Bob Seely has written to the three firms for answers.
In a letter to Fran Collins, chief executive of Red Funnel, Keith Greenfield, chief executive of Wightlink, and Neil Chapman, chief executive of Hovertravel, Mr Seely wrote: "I am asking you individually to explain — to Islanders — your companies' respective performances since the summer."
In the letter, Mr Seely lists more than 40 incidents since August 26 that have limited cross-Solent services.
These include the engine fire on board Wightlink's Wight Sky, Red Funnel's Red Eagle's collision with moored yachts in the Solent, Wightlink's St Clare being pulled from service — causing more than six hour delays in Portsmouth — due to an admin blunder, Red Funnel's Red Falcon's collision with yachts and running aground off East Cowes, a lack of Hovertravel services for more than eight hours on two occasions and many other delays, cancellations and suspensions from the three firms.
Mr Seely said: "Many Islanders are concerned by your ability to get people and vehicles to and from the Island without delays or cancellations.
"I should not need to state the need for a reliable service for Islanders, regardless of whether they are going to the mainland for medical, business or other reasons.
"An unreliable service damages the Island and harms Islanders. Delays have knock-on effects for those using other forms of public transport."
Mr Seely said he was particularly keen for the chief executives to explain whether the current levels of technical or mechanical faults are acceptable, and what steps they intend to take to ensure they run the service they advertise.
He also said he wanted specific answers from Red Funnel about the increase in accidents, from Wightlink regarding the lack of certification and from Hovertravel, clearer information regarding issues with one of their crafts.
Mr Seely concluded: "This letter does not cast doubt on the efforts of those who work for you, and indeed it is wrong when they are verbally abused or criticised simply because they are the public face of your companies.
"However, can you understand the frustration of Islanders at the current state of affairs?"
See the full list of incidents from Mr Seely's letter below:
August 26: Wightlink’s Wight Sky suffers an engine fire mid-Solent
August 27: Wightlink’s Yarmouth-Lymington service suspended as a result of the fire
August 29: Wightlink involved in man overboard incident outside Portsmouth Harbour
September 6: Wightlink run a revised timetable for 3 days due to a mechanical issue with Victoria of Wight
September 11: Hovertravel operate a shuttle service for approx. 1 hour
September 16: Red Funnel cancel 2 vehicle ferry sailings due to a technical issue
September 18: Hovertravel suspend their service due to strong winds
September 19: Hovertravel continue suspension of service due to strong winds
September 19: Wightlink cancel the 07:50 sailing from Lymington
September 20: Hovertravel announce a shuttle service due to a technical issue with Solent Flyer
September 21: Hovertravel withdraw Solent Flyer from service for 7 weeks and enter a 1-craft service
September 21: Red Jet service suspended due to a failure with Red Jet 4
September 21: Hovertravel suspend their service due to adverse weather
September 21: Wightlink cancel 4 sailings on Yarmouth-Lymington route due to adverse weather
September 23: Hovertravel suspend their service due to a technical issue
September 24: Wightlink’s Victoria of Wight suffers a technical fault mid-Solent
September 27: Red Funnel’s Red Eagle collides with moored boats in foggy conditions
September 29: Red Funnel’s Red Osprey collides with a motorboat off Calshot
September 30: Hovertravel suspend their service due to a technical issue – twice
October 1: Hovertravel service suspended for almost the entire day
October 1: Hovertravel resumes service after some 30 hours
October 3: Wightlink’s Yarmouth-Lymington service reduced to 1 ferry due to a mechanical issue
October 5: All routes affected by fog with delays, cancellations and suspensions
October 10: Maritime and Coastguard Agency appeal for witnesses to Red Funnel’s 29th Sept collision
October 11: Hovertravel suspend their service for 4 hours due to a mid-Solent technical fault
October 12: Wightlink operate a 2-hourly service due to anticipated high winds
October 12: Hovertravel suspend their service due to adverse weather
October 12: Wightlink’s St Clare pulled because of an admin blunder resulting in 5 hour delays
October 13: Hovertravel suspend their service for over an hour due to a technical issue
October 14: Red Funnel cancel a number of sailings due to a technical issue
October 15: Hovertravel suspend their service for an hour due to a technical issue
October 16: Hovertravel suspend their service for around an hour due to a technical issue
October 21: Hovertravel suspend their service for 8 hours on the day of the Great South Run
October 21: Red Funnel’s Red Falcon collides with a moored yacht and runs aground
October 21: Red Jet services suspended as a result of the closure of Cowes Harbour following the Red Falcon incident
October 21: Wightlink cancel a number of sailings on the Yarmouth-Lymington route due to a ‘clutch issue’
October 22: Wightlink cancel even more sailings on the Yarmouth-Lymington route
October 24: Hovertravel suspend their service due to another technical issue
October 25: Wightlink cancel a number of sailings on the Yarmouth-Lymington route
October 25: Wightlink operate a revised timetable on their catamaran service due to essential maintenance
October 26: Wightlink cancel even more sailings on the Yarmouth-Lymington route due to continue engine issues
October 27: Hovertravel suspend their service for around 90 minutes due to a technical issue
October 27: Hovertravel suspend their service without notifying customers
October 28: Hovertravel finally announce suspension of service after 13 hours - miss first crossing of the day
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