A search and rescue operation was under way yesterday morning after a ferry collided with yachts off the Isle of Wight, the second such incident in a month.
The incident happened as the Red Falcon ferry was attempting to berth at the entrance to the harbour, according to the coastguard, which received a 999 call from a man reporting that he had heard cries for help from the scene.
All 56 people on board the ferry, which is operated by Red Funnel on the company’s route from Southampton to East Cowes, were safe and well. It remained grounded at the entrance to the harbour yesterday morning and tugs were in attendance.
Three lifeboats were launched to search for people in the water after the reported collision at around 8am. A coastguard search and rescue helicopter had been searching the area but had to turn back because of low visibility.
A spokesman for the ferry company said: “The 0700 vehicle ferry sailing from Southampton to East Cowes came into contact with several small yachts whilst entering Cowes harbour at 0800 yesterday morning in dense fog.
“The ship is currently aground but is watertight and no injuries have been sustained to any of the 40 passengers on board.”
The company said there were no reports of any injuries to anyone involved in the incident.
“Attempts to refloat the vessel are currently under way on a falling tide. If this proves unsuccessful, a further attempt will be made at the next high tide,” it said. “Cowes harbour has now reopened and Red Funnel’s Red Jet Southampton-West Cowes service will resume shortly.”
Cowes RNLI lifeboat, Calshot RNLI lifeboats and coastguard rescue teams from Bembridge, Needles and Ventnor were involved in the search and rescue operation.
One account from a member of the public suggested that a moored boat had been sunk as the ferry missed the harbour channel and ran aground.
Images posted on Twitter appeared to show the mast of a sunken boat sticking out from the water with a Red Funnel ferry in the background.
Three boats were cut adrift when another ferry operated by Red Funnel went through moorings in thick fog at Cowes harbour on September 27, the RNLI said last month.
The ferry involved on that occasion was the Red Eagle, which was sailing from East Cowes to Southampton.
A catamaran was hit and two yachts were later found drifting outside the harbour following the incident, which happened at around 5.30am. Red Funnel said that it was withdrawing the ferry from service.
Red Funnel, which styles itself as the “original Isle of Wight ferry operator”, carries 3.4mn passengers each year.
Its fleet consists of modern purpose-built ropax vehicle ferries and Red Jet high-speed passenger catamarans, according to its website.
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