Read Authentic Ratings for the Red-Osprey

Travel plans were significantly impacted on April 7, 2026, as a technical issue with the 'Red Osprey' prompted the cancellation of numerous ferry sailings on the crucial cross-Solent route. Red Funnel, the operator of the service, initially reported the engine malfunction early in the morning, leading to the cancellation of the 9:30 a.m. sailing from East Cowes and the subsequent 11:00 a.m. return trip from Southampton. As the day progressed, the disruptions continued with the 12:30 p.m. departure from East Cowes and the 2:00 p.m. service from Southampton also being scrapped. This incident occurred during a busy period, with many travelers returning from a long Bank Holiday weekend, making the timing particularly inconvenient. The cause of the technical fault remains undetermined, and it is yet to be clarified how long the disruptions will last or if further cancellations are imminent. Passengers planning journeys across the Solent are encouraged to seek the latest updates before heading to the terminal.

A somber incident unfolded on January 2, 2025, when the body of a man was retrieved from the waters of the Solent during the 9 a.m. crossing of the ferry 'Red Osprey,' which was en route from East Cowes to Southampton. Passengers aboard the ferry noticed the lifeless body floating near Calshot Spit, prompting immediate action. The 'Red Osprey' made a U-turn and awaited reinforcements while the ship’s crew contacted the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Constabulary at approximately 10:30 a.m. The ferry had momentarily halted just outside Hamble. An announcement was promptly made via the vessel’s tannoy system, instructing passengers to vacate the deck and stay inside the ferry. The 'Red Osprey' maintained a watchful presence at the scene until the 'Red Kestrel,' Red Funnel’s freight ferry, arrived to take over. The deceased man was subsequently brought ashore at Calshot while investigations continued. Following this discovery, the ferry service experienced delays of up to 30 minutes, a ripple effect that persisted throughout the day as Red Funnel reported subsequent delays on their routes. Both vessels were cleared to resume their operations shortly thereafter.

On December 5, the 'Red Osprey' continued to encounter disruptions, resulting in the cancellation of several scheduled sailings. Passengers from Cowes were affected as the 4:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m., and 10:30 p.m. sailings were called off. Additionally, the 6:00 p.m. and 9:00 p.m. crossings from Southampton were also struck by cancellations. This string of setbacks followed a prior technical malfunction that had already led to disruptions in the ferry's morning schedule.

On the morning of December 5, the 'Red Osprey' ferry faced a technical malfunction that resulted in the cancellation of two scheduled sailings. The complications stemmed from a malfunctioning door aboard the vessel, causing earlier trips to depart up to 40 minutes behind schedule. As a consequence, both the 09:00 a.m. sailing from Southampton and the 10:30 a.m. departure from East Cowes were scrapped, affecting many passengers relying on the service.