Red Funnel ferry passengers stranded onboard in Southampton

Passengers heading to Southampton were stuck onboard Red Eagle – the 9.30am crossing from East Cowes – waiting for the 10am sailing from Southampton on Red Falcon to leave port.

But Falcon was severely delayed, meaning the frustrated ferrygoers were left waiting for more than an hour before being able to disembark.

Initially, Red Eagle passengers were alerted to delays over the vessel’s public address system, with a staff member explaining that he did not know “for the life of me” how long they would be stuck.

Red Funnel passengers onboard Red Eagle heading towards Southampton earlier (Image: IWCP)

Ferry customers remained stranded on the vessel, to the side of the Southampton berth, watching as Red Falcon began loading vehicles.

The vessel remained stuck an hour after it was expected to berth, with Red Falcon still unable to depart from Southampton.

It is understood that there was a linkspan issue, and engineers attended in an attempt to "weld something together", a witness has said.

Red Eagle arriving in Southampton (Image: IWCP)

After the ferry was stuck metres from Southampton for almost an hour, Red Funnel eventually announced its vehicle ferry service was suspended.

But ten minutes later, it was back in operation with "lengthy delays".

Red Eagle passengers eventually berthed in the city an hour and a half later than expected.

Red Funnel has been contacted for comment.