Southampton fans trying to make their way back to the Isle of Wight tonight (Friday) have been left angry, after Red Funnel reduced its Red Jet capacity.
Hundreds of fans had made their way over to St Mary’s to watch Southampton beat Norwich City 2-0 in the Premier League.
Red Funnel announced earlier today it wouldn’t be helping fans by putting on any extra sailings after the game.
However, Isle of Wight Radio listeners have said that around 100 people - including children - were told they couldn’t get on the 10.55pm sailing back to the Island, due to a ‘reduced capacity’, after a staff member became invaluable at ‘short notice’.
It has meant fans have had to wait an hour until the car ferry crossing at 11.55pm - back to East Cowes rather than Cowes - meaning many having to use the Floating Bridge to get back to their vehicles or to meet their lift home.
22:55 Red Jet - we have restricted capacity on this sailing due to a critical crew member becoming unavailable at short notice. Our next available departure will be our 23:55 Vehicle Ferry Service
— RF Service News (@RF_Travel_News) February 25, 2022
One fan told Isle of Wight Radio:
“Where is the common sense? There are people with young children just left in the cold. Surely Red Funnel knew this would happen?”
This is exceptionally helpful.
— Nicky (@nicolawidgeryyy) February 25, 2022
Especially when you let the 22:55 leave at *half capacity* with 100-200 people left waiting 🙃🙃🙃 https://t.co/MAxfHU6uGE
It’s barely half full. What a joke!
— Meg (@MegThorne) February 25, 2022
*UPDATED Saturday
*Isle of Wight Radio understands that Red Funnel provided an extra, unplanned Red Jet service for most supporters to get back to the Island.
Isle of Wight Radio has asked Red Funnel for a comment.
**UPDATED
**Leanna Lakes, Operations Director at Red Funnel, said:
"The safety of our colleagues and passengers is our priority and due to a medical incident on board the 22.55 Red Jet service last night, it was necessary for a critical crew member to depart and attend A&E.
"As a result of not having the required ratio of crew to passengers, we unfortunately had to reduce the capacity on this service. With approximately 80 passengers still needing to return to the Island, our dedicated team decided to work additional hours and provide an extra sailing to take them back from Southampton. This sailing left as soon as possible after the Red Jet returned from ccompleting the 22.55 service."
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