Ferry  service Red Funnel has been called into question by an IW East MP candidate amid ‘frustration’ and ‘fraying tempers’ due to Saturday’s cancellations.

LIVE BLOG: Isle of Wight ferry LATEST as Red Funnel confirms cancellations

Vix Lowthion, Green Party candidate for Isle of Wight East, is among the hundreds who have waited hours to travel back home to the Island today.

Red Funnel cancelled its Red Jet hi-speed passenger service this afternoon after both its vessels – Red Jet 6 and 7 – suffered technical issues.

As Red Jet passengers queued alongside customers at the vehicle ferry dock, many watched on as Red Falcon was towed away following an issue with its 'forward main engine'.

Vix was travelling home from a panellist event in Bristol when she joined the hundreds of people stranded at the Red Funnel terminal in Southampton.

Taking to X, formerly Twitter, at 7.20pm, Vix posted: “Red Funnel. Absolutely screwing us all over. What the heck service is this?

“Members of the public offloading to me about it, hoping I can do something. A general election cannot come soon enough.”

Vix explained that tempers have been fraying in the passenger hall, with raised voices directed at staff out of frustration.

“Some people here have been waiting since 4.30pm, with another three hours before they get home. No passenger launch. Car ferries which are 30 years old and broke,” Vix continued.

“Islanders are being pretty resilient whilst they wait. But it should be the ferry company which has the resilience of fleet!”

The chaos unfolded just days after the news broke that eight directors at Red Funnel had resigned, leaving four remaining.

In a statement on Thursday (March 14), Red Funnel described the departures as a ‘review’ of its board structures and memberships.

The recent change was ‘in support of its fleet management programme’.

A spokesperson said: “We are keen to replace our ageing vehicle ferries to ensure we continue to provide our essential lifeline services for decades to come and to support residents and visitors alike with modern, greener and more customer-friendly ships.”