Isle of Wight ferries tend to hit the headlines for the wrong reasons these days, but it was a different story 15 years ago when a flamboyant makeover to one of Red Funnel's flagship vessels caught the eye.
Red Osprey turned canary in 2009, to celebrate the launch of IKEA's Southampton superstore.
Sporting bright yellow and blue livery to reflect the Swedish furniture giant's colour scheme, the ship certainly made waves in the Solent.
For the first time in its history, the ferry dropped its traditional red and white as part of a marketing campaign with the retailer.
Read more: Isle of Wight ferry firm Red Funnel has plans for 3 new ferries
Ahead of the opening of its giant new store, IKEA joined forces with Red Funnel for its home deliveries to the Island.
At the time, Red Funnel sales and marketing director Jonathan Green told the County Press: “Red Funnel is very pleased to be working with IKEA on this and other projects.
“The opening of the new store will be a huge asset to Southampton and the IW and the painting of the Red Osprey is an exciting and innovative method of promoting this.”
As well as sporting yellow and blue, the ship also donned the words IKEA, accompanied by the slogan 'home is the most important place in the world'.
Red Osprey off Cowes in 2009 (Image: Google Maps)
For 12 months, the yellow ferry could be seen sailing back and forth in the Solent, between Cowes and East Cowes.
IKEA opened its West Quay Road doors in Southampton at 10am on February 12.
At the time, it was said the store held 9,000 products across the four floors of its 34,000 sq metre store.
It also houses one of Hampshire’s largest restaurants, with 600 seats.
To this date, the store is still operating and used regularly by Islanders.
As for Red Osprey, the ship was repainted red and white and continues to sail between the Island and the mainland for Red Funnel.
In May, Red Funnel revealed plans to replace its ageing fleet with three new vessels.
Red Osprey and another of the firm's vessels, Red Falcon, are 30 years old.
The company said it will be several years before the new vessels can enter service.
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