News Update expected from Hovertravel at 14:00 today (Monday)
Hovertravel operations remain suspended today and tomorrow morning, but the Island Hovercraft service has arranged alternative travel with Wightlink for all of their customers.
All passengers with Season or Travel Cards and those with pre-paid tickets will be provided with a free of charge voucher from Hovertravel, which will enable them to travel on Wightlink services. Hovertravel staff will be at both Portsmouth Harbour and Pier Head terminals. A further update will be provided by Hovertravel by 12:00 hrs tomorrow.
The suspension of services follows an issue with a propeller on the Solent Express Hovercraft on 30th October. Hovertravel is working with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) to ensure full safety checks are completed on its hovercraft fleet and to ensure the integrity of all our operating systems in conjunction with the MCA. Hovertravel hopes to resume service shortly. Ongoing safety checks and investigations into the blade and propellers on all hovercraft are in progress.
The safety of customers, crew and hovercraft is of paramount importance and Hovertravel has been working with the MCA continually throughout the weekend to ensure the capability of the craft before they are returned to service.
Hovertravel confirms that all passengers holding reservations and Season or Travel Card holders will be looked after and transferred on to alternative travel arrangements. We are deeply sorry for any inconvenience caused, and are grateful for our passengers’ understanding. We are confident that, with the support of the entire Hovertravel team, and the MCA, we will complete this process as quickly as we can.
Further updates will be available in the Service Status section of Hovertravel’s website www.hovertravel.com (under the Travel Info heading). We will update the website and our terminal staff will be on duty as normal throughout the weekend and Monday to assist and update this situation. It must be stressed that we will only commence operations when Hovertravel and the MCA are entirely satisfied.
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