Reviews & Ratings for the St-Clare

The Isle of Wight ferry operator, Wightlink, has come under investigation following an incident involving the ferry 'St. Clare.' On March 8, during its final journey from Fishbourne to Portsmouth's Gunwharf terminal, passengers were unexpectedly requested to reposition their vehicles while the vessel was still in motion. Wightlink acknowledged that a crew member had instructed some passengers to adjust their vehicles before the ferry had completed its docking process, aiming to facilitate a quicker disembarkation. This action contradicts safety regulations set by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA), which stipulate that passengers must exit their vehicles once the ferry departs and remain within designated passenger areas. The access to vehicle decks is typically prohibited until the vessel is fully secured at the berth to mitigate risks associated with potential incidents during transit, such as the recent allision involving the 'St. Clare' and the Gunwharf terminal on February 17, which highlighted the dangers posed to individuals on the vehicle deck. Wightlink’s own operational guidelines specify that passengers must vacate the car decks before departure and may only return if directed by crew members. Following the incident, the crew initiated an internal report, leading to a comprehensive investigation overseen by the head of fleet operations. The inquiry included a review of CCTV evidence and interviews with both passengers and crew members. Wightlink has proactively communicated this incident to the MCA and issued an all-fleet advisory bulletin to reinforce the protocol that vehicles should remain stationary until the ferry has fully docked. The MCA is continuing its investigation into the matter.

In a maritime incident on February 17, 2026, at 08:00 a.m. GMT, the Wightlink ferry 'St. Clare' experienced an allision with the Gunwharf terminal in Portsmouth, UK. The ferry was maneuvering stern first when it collided with the wooden fenders, causing significant damage to both the vessel's bow and the port infrastructure. The impact resulted in a broken ramp, with debris from the timber fender falling into the water. Following the incident, passengers aboard the ferry were directed to disembark via an alternate ramp from the top deck, while the damaged ramp required support to ensure safety. As a result of the allision, vehicles onboard the ferry had no choice but to reverse off the vessel. The allision led to the cancellation of several sailings on the Gunwharf–Fishbourne route for the afternoon, with services suspended until at least 3:20 p.m. from Gunwharf and 4:20 p.m. from Fishbourne. Unfortunately, no alternative sailings were available while teams worked diligently to evaluate the situation and devise solutions to minimize disruption for passengers. Conversely, all other ferry routes continued operating as scheduled. Thanks to prompt repairs conducted overnight, the 'St. Clare' was able to resume its normal service operations by February 18, restoring connectivity for travelers once more.

As of February 21, the 'St. Clare' ferry remained docked at Portsmouth due to persistent technical issues affecting both of its engines, which are suspected to be interconnected. In light of this situation, operator Wightlink announced the cancellation of all scheduled sailings for that day and communicated directly with affected customers. In a proactive response, the 'St. Faith' was deployed to conduct a shuttle service, though it quickly reached full capacity. Travelers faced significant disruptions to their plans, but Wightlink has made it clear that customers can conveniently cancel or modify their bookings online, with any refunds processed at no additional cost. Engineers are diligently working to resolve the engine issues, and as a temporary measure, Wightlink arranged for extra sailings between Lymington and Yarmouth overnight. Furthermore, passengers whose journeys aboard the 'St. Clare' were canceled are invited to use the FastCat service free of charge, ensuring they can continue their travels without further hassle.

On the afternoon of February 20, 2025, passengers traveling on the Isle of Wight ferry service faced considerable delays on the Fishbourne to Portsmouth route. The disruption was primarily caused by a mechanical fault affecting the ferry 'St. Clare,' which was temporarily out of service for repairs in Portsmouth. With the 'St. Clare' sidelined, the oldest vessel in the fleet, 'St. Faith,' was left to operate the route solo, resulting in two-hour delays for travelers. Wightlink announced the cancellation of the 2 p.m. sailing from Portsmouth and proactively reached out to those impacted to facilitate alternative travel arrangements. Additionally, the ferry 'Victoria of Wight,' which had recently undergone maintenance at the Isle of Portland dock, remains out of service for the time being.

The ferry 'St. Clare' encountered a technical malfunction, resulting in the cancellation of several sailings on the Fishbourne-Portsmouth route from September 6 to September 8, 2023. Travelers should note that the 8 p.m. departure from Portsmouth Gunwharf, along with the 9 p.m. return trip from Fishbourne, have been officially canceled. Passengers are advised to check for updates and alternative travel arrangements during this period.