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Wightlink passengers stranded after night ferries cancelled

Wightlink WightlinkWightlink
Crossings were cancelled over "technical issues", according to Wightlink

Passengers were left stranded after a ferry company cancelled its late-night crossings.

Wightlink, which runs services between Hampshire and the Isle of Wight, suspended car ferries on Saturday night, blaming "technical issues" in an email to customers.

No ferries ran after 22:00 GMT from Portsmouth and 23:00 from Fishbourne, according to Wightlink's social media.

The company has apologised for the delays and inconvenience.

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In a message on X, posted 25 minutes after the 22:00 crossing had been due to depart, Wightlink said there would be an additional FastCat sailing for foot passengers at 00:15 on Sunday.

One passenger told the BBC he had to leave his car in Southampton and catch a Red Funnel foot passenger service back to the island.

Steve Armstrong, who was travelling from a football match in Manchester to the Portsmouth ferry terminal, said his crossing had been changed from 23:59 on Saturday night to 05:00 on Sunday morning.

"On this occasion, it's just a joke. How can they expect people to sit in a car park for six hours in nearly freezing conditions?" he said.

Mr Armstrong said he believed he would be about £150 out of pocket after parking, alternative ferry and taxi costs.

In a statement on Sunday, Wightlink said it apologised "for the delays and inconvenience caused to customers as a result of these cancelled sailings".

It explained: "Unfortunately, due to a technical issue, Wightlink had to cancel four crossings on its ferry St Faith between Portsmouth and Fishbourne on Saturday night.

"Extra sailings from Portsmouth Harbour were laid on for foot passengers and refreshments were provided for customers who decided to wait for the next car ferry sailing."

The ferry company added that all affected passengers were contacted and advised of their options, including how to claim compensation, and said normal service had resumed.

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