THE second of a controversial fleet of new cross-Solent ferries has set sail for the UK to begin sea trials.

Wightlink’s giant new ship, Wight Sky, is due to arrive in Lymington River at the end of September after a voyage from a builder’s yard in Croatia.

One of Lymington’s most influential pressure groups has called for an open assessment process to take place before the boats are allowed to enter service.

The Lymington Society, which met earlier this week, wants the results of safety studies on the £26m fleet made available to the public once they are completed.

The first of the planned three new vessels, Wight Light, has already begun tests on the Lymington to Yarmouth route.

Campaigners admitted their worst fears had been realised when they saw the boat arriving at the river earlier this summer.

They are longer and taller than the existing vessels, which were built 35 years ago, and displace almost twice as much water.

Critics claim the ships’ wash will damage environmentally-sensitive parts of the riverbank by accelerating erosion.

Wight Sky, built at Croatia’s Kraljevica shipyard, is expected to arrive in the UK at the end of September after a journey of 3,682 nautical miles that includes stops at Palermo, Gibraltar and Vigo.

A Wightlink spokesman said: “Once the harbour authorities at Lymington and Yarmouth have monitored the ship’s performance and procedures are finalised, an exact autumn date will be confirmed for Wight Sky’s entry into service on the Lymington-Yarmouth route.”