Following last week’s announcement about the reduction in RedJet service, this in from Red Funnel in their own words. Ed
Red Funnel can confirm that Red Jet 4 will return from a shortened refit next week and a normal Red Jet timetable is expected to resume from Wednesday 16 October 2013.
An hourly shuttle service is currently in operation with departures at approximately xx15 from West Cowes and xx45 from Southampton. Boarding cards are in use and are being issued on a first come first served basis although where possible customers are advised to travel via East Cowes at peak times – a free connecting boat service is operating from the West Cowes pontoon to East Cowes between 0700-0900 hrs Mon-Fri to connect with vehicle ferry sailings to Southampton.
Paul Winter, CEO commented,
“I would like to apologise sincerely to customers for the current disruption and to assure them that everything possible is being done to minimise the inconvenience which includes deploying additional resources to speed-up Red Jet 4’s annual refit.
“With Red Jet 5 unintentionally sidelined, Red Jet 4 in refit and no 30+ knot vessels available to charter we have had no option but to operate a one boat service. Compensation to daily travellers will be offered once the normal timetable resumes.”
Red Funnel has completed its investigation into the accident involving Red Jet 5 and the Hythe Knock buoy on Thursday 3 October 2013. The investigation concluded that the cause was human error and the Commander in charge of the vessel at the time has resigned and left the company.
