WIGHTLINK has been forced to axe some sailings on the Lymington to Yarmouth route as crews struggle to get to grips with the new ferries.
Problems associated with the controversial W-class vessels have caused several delays since the multi-million-pound craft were introduced two weeks ago today.
Now Wightlink has revised its timetable, cutting the number of sailings from 24 a day to 21.
The company hopes the reduction will ensure that the new ferries run according to the advertised times.
A Wightlink spokesman said: “We are still in a learning period with the new ferries. Masters are becoming more familiar with the vessels but we were not able to meet the turnaround time.”
The new timetable will remain in force until May 24, the day the previous schedule was due to be revised.
Some of the worst delays occurred at the start of the week when the new craft were withdrawn from service because they are currently barred from operating in the Lymington River if wind speeds exceed 30 knots.
As reported in the Daily Echo, Wightlink were able to use Cenred – the only C-class vessel still moored in Lymington.
However, the vessel’s safety certificate expires tomorrow, leaving Wightlink with no back-up ferry if the W-class boats are prevented from sailing.
The company says it hopes a new report due to be published this week will allow the new craft to operate in stronger winds.
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