Major Engine Failure Sparks Chaos on Wightlink’s St Clare Ferry
A major engine failure has thrown a spanner in the works for early commuters on Wightlink’s 7am Fishbourne to Portsmouth ferry, the St Clare. The ferry remains docked as frantic repairs fail to get it back in action.
Engine Breakdown Grounds St Clare Amid Stormy Seas
Just minutes before setting off, the captain discovered the starboard engine refused to start. The culprit? A faulty starter motor. Normally, sailing with three engines isn’t a problem, but a force eight gale rocking Portsmouth Harbour raised serious safety concerns.
The 7am crossing is now cancelled, with all passengers forced to disembark after onboard engineers hit a brick wall fixing the fault. Wightlink faces a stretched service, now relying on just one vessel to cover the busy route.
Passengers Face Bullish Delays and Cancellations
- Service remains suspended pending repairs
- Only one ferry left to run the Fishbourne-Portsmouth route
- Timetable expected to suffer severe knock-on effects
How to Claim Compensation for Ferry Fiasco
If you’re stuck or had your trip cancelled, here’s what you need to know about your legal rights under EU Regulation No 1177/2010, plus Wightlink’s own compensation policy.
EU Regulations entitle you to: – Timely updates within 30 minutes of scheduled departure. – Options for a refund or alternative transport if more than 90 minutes delayed. – Free food and drinks related to wait times. – Compensation: 25% of fare for 1-hour delays, 50% for 2 hours or more. – Refunds must be paid within 7 days of claim. – No compensation for severe weather or natural disasters.
Wightlink’s compensation offers:
- 25% refund for delays between 60 and 120 minutes
- 50% refund for delays over 120 minutes
- Free drink for delays over 90 minutes, light snack for 4+ hours, hot meal for 8+ hours
- 10% bonus if you accept vouchers instead of cash
- Must check in 30 minutes before sailing to qualify
- No payout for weather or third-party restrictions
To file a claim, head over to Wightlink Compensation Page.
Commuters are advised to keep updated and explore alternative routes as engineers work against the clock to fix the St Clare.
