THE bank holiday weekend was one many Isle of Wight ferry passengers won't forget in a hurry — full of delays, long waits and problems getting through to speak to staff.

Red Funnel admitted it was 'bad timing' for their car ferry Red Osprey to be pulled from service on Friday, following a routine inspection which revealed some defects.

It was off all over the weekend and is not due back into service until Thursday — which meant everyone with a booking had to be fitted on to another ferry during what was already a busy time.

The ferry operator apologised for the inconvenience and offered free of charge booking amendments.

Traffic soon started backing up in East Cowes, made even worse with no floating bridge.

Cllr Karl Love said on Friday: "East Cowes is gridlocked with ferry traffic. Traffic is currently backed up all the way to Whippingham.

"It’s at times like this there needs to be a emergency stack system out of town."

People reported having to wait several hours for ferries, with many having to travel very late at night to get home.

At Wightlink, the phone lines and online booking system went down on Sunday.

A spokesperson said: "Wightlink apologises some customers could not access the reservation system on Sunday because of a major internet outage that affected many organisations."

Additionally, its ticket offices remain closed, which they have been since the start of lockdown, despite the Island now being busy with tourists throughout the summer.

Sunday's problems aside, the County Press has had several reports of people having long waits to get through on Wightlink's phone lines.

Patrick Offer, 78, of Colwell, said he often uses the ferries but has spent hours trying to get through to Wightlink by phone, as he doesn't use the internet.

He said: "I spent five days trying to get through on the phone, to no avail. I finally went to the ferry port but the only staff there were the ones who supervise loading the cars on, as the booking office is closed.

"They told me it was to protect staff, but everything else is open now, including shops, restaurants, and pubs, so why can't Wightlink? It is shocking.

"I need to make a journey next week and I am fearful I will not be able to make contact to get a booking. Last time I just turned up and waited to be let on, but you can't risk that all the time, especially when the Island is so busy with holidaymakers."

Another Island resident, who phoned the County Press, said: "I am speaking on behalf of people who don't have internet or don't want it. There are so many of us who aren't online and don't want to start now. We feel absolutely trapped."

The County Press asked Wightlink when it was reopening its ticket offices.

The Wightlink spokesperson said: "To reduce the spread of coronavirus, we are continuing to limit contact between staff and customers as much as possible.

"Customers can buy tickets on the Wightlink App, online at the Wightlink website and at vending machines at the ports.

"We are keeping the matter of re-opening the ticket offices under review."