Ferry Chaos as Wightlink Suspends Portsmouth to Isle of Wight Service Over Passenger Threat
Wightlink has ground to a halt the vital Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry route this afternoon after a disturbing incident onboard.
Passenger Refuses to Leave, Sparks Police Response
The trouble started when a woman refused to leave one of the car ferries despite staff orders. Police were quickly called to the Portsmouth terminal to deal with the situation.
Explosive Threat Reported Onboard ‘St Clare’
Passengers and onlookers reported the woman claimed to have an explosive device onboard the ‘St Clare’ ferry. The 1pm sailing from Portsmouth returned to port amid escalating tensions.
A Wightlink spokesperson confirmed: “The 13:00 sailing from Portsmouth returned following an incident involving a disruptive passenger. Police are currently at the terminal.”
Situation Resolved, Service to Resume With Delays
It remains unclear if the threat was serious or if the passenger was under the influence. Wightlink has started loading the ferry again, signalling the situation is under control. The company expects to resume the crossing soon, although delays are expected.
