Red Funnel captain suspended as investigations take place

An investigation into the incident involving the Red Falcon Credit: RNLI

The master and mate of a Red Funnel ferry, which ran aground and struck yachts in fog on the Isle of Wight, have been suspended.

It comes as the Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) makes enquiries into how the incident, involving the Red Falcon, happened as it travelled into East Cowes on Sunday.

Major disruption to sailings between Southampton and the Island occurred throughout the day.

Around forty passengers were stuck on board until the vessel was refloated three hours later. Red Funnel said no damage was sustained to the vessel and no passengers were injured.

The boat was accompanied by two tug escorts as a precautionary measure and a Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) surveyor was onboard for the short duration of the journey.

One of the boat which was involved in Sunday's Red Funnel incident Credit: RNLI/George Chastney

Red Funnel said the suspensions were "standard industry practise" and it was changing its procedures in regards to operating in restricted visibility.

A normal timetable has since resumed.