Advertisement

Isle of Wight ferry crashes with yachts and runs aground due to thick fog

Red Funnel Ferry runs aground in the heavy fog in Cowes Harbour on the Isle of Wight Credit  - Kevin Groves
Red Funnel Ferry runs aground in the heavy fog in Cowes Harbour on the Isle of Wight Credit - Kevin Groves

A ferry has collided with at least two yachts in the Isle of Wight while trying to berth at the entrance of Cowes Harbour during heavy fog.

A spokesman from HM Coastguard said they received reports of the incident, involving the Red Funnel ferry, just after 8am on Sunday. 

A member of the public also rang 999 reporting that they could hear cries for help from the within Cowes Harbour - but the coastguard has confirmed that nobody is in the water or missing. 

A spokesman for the coastguard said: "We made contact with person who was heard crying for help and he is safe and well. He was onboard his own vessel and calling out to try and alert the master of the ferry."

Janice Woodford, 55, whose house backs onto the East Cowes Esplanade, watched the incident unfold through the fog this morning.

She said: "I think the ferry came to a stop just after 8am this morning in the fog. My neighbour heard someone shouting 'help me'.

"There are a number of yachts out there in the water.

"We have had three incidents like this in the last month or so - and they've all been when it was foggy."

In September, two people were injured when another 4,000-tonne Red Funnel car ferry crashed into their 31ft yacht.

The smaller vessel, which was carrying three people, also suffered from engine failure after the collision.

ferry - Credit: @IanPretty1
The Ferry runs hit two small yachts and witnesses said they heard people screaming for help Credit: @IanPretty1

That same month, a Red Funnel ferry accidentally ploughed into a vicar's £80,000 catamaran and several other yachts due to 'extremely thick fog'.

A spokesman for HM Coastguards said: "We are currently carrying out an extensive search of the area with Cowes RNLI lifeboat, Calshot RNLI lifeboats and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Bembridge, Needles and Ventnor.

"A Coastguard search and rescue helicopter was searching the area but due to the low visibility in the area had to turn back. The search is ongoing and we have no further information at this stage.

"The ferry with 56 persons onboard remains grounded at the entrance at Cowes. Those persons onboard are safe and well. "

A Red Funnel spokesman said: "Cowes Harbour has now reopened and Red Funnel's Red Jet Southampton-West Cowes service will resume shortly."