Disruption on Red Funnel's Red Jet service is to continue until at least Friday (22), the Isle of Wight ferry firm has said.

A replacement vessel, Blue Funnel, is running in its place but journeys are taking up to 50 minutes, as opposed to the usual 28 minutes.

Red Funnel has said it will run three extra sailings from both Southampton and Cowes at peak times.

Red Jet has been operating a revised timetable since Saturday (16).

Read more: Isle of Wight ferry Red Jet service suspended until Tuesday

First, a 'water jet issue' was reported with vessel Red Jet 6. Then, a 'technical issue with the starboard Jet room' on Red Jet 7 suspended the service altogether by lunchtime.

Red Jet 6 is docked in Southampton, alongside Red Jet 4. While Red Jet 7 is at Wight Shipyard, East Cowes.

The problems coincided with vehicle sailings also being cancelled and hundreds of passengers being stranded in Southampton.

Red Jet crossings - March 19 to March 22:

  • Departing Southampton: 05:30 / 06:40 / 07:50 / 09:00 / 10:20 / 11:30 / 12:40 / 13:50 / 15:00 / 16:10 / 17:20 / 18:30 / 19:40 / 21:05 / 22:30
  • Departing West Cowes: 06:05 / 07:15 / 08:25 / 09:35 / 10:55 / 12:05 / 13:15 / 14:25 / 15:35 / 16:45 / 17:55 / 19:05 / 20:15 / 21:40 / 23:05

Additional Blue Funnel crossings:

  • Departing Southampton: 07:30 / 09:50 / 16:50
  • Departing West Cowes: 06:30 / 08:50 / 15:50

Leanna Lakes, Red Funnel operations director, said repairs to Red Jet 7's jet propulsion system are underway.

She said: "We understand the impact this may have on commuters, so while we work around the clock to complete the repairs, we're providing additional crossings with Blue Funnel at peak commute times.

"We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience the revised high-speed service may cause. We will provide a further update on Wednesday, March 20."

Passengers affected by delays may be eligible for compensation, the firm said.