Passengers face cancellations as ferry breaks down

Some Red Funnel vehicle ferry crossings have been cancelled

Ferry passengers are facing disruptions as repair work is carried out to a vessel that broke down mid-crossing.

Red Funnel said its Red Eagle vehicle ferry, sailing between between East Cowes and Southampton, was having "essential" repair work to its aft engine.

It reportedly broke down on Southampton Water and had to be towed by a tug into port in Southampton on Wednesday afternoon. Some evening and Thursday morning crossings have been cancelled.

Services were also disrupted in April when the same vessel broke down at sea, having just returned to service.

The 19:30 BST crossing from East Cowes has been cancelled, as well as the Thursday's 05:00 sailing from Southampton, due to "essential repairs on the Red Eagle aft engine," Red Funnell's website stated.

It is the latest in a series of problems to affect Red Eagle, with Red Funnel extending its winter timetable due to its delayed return from its annual refit.

It then suffered a "technical issue" at sea on 5 April after it returned to service.

Red Funnel has been contacted for further comment.