Eight Red Funnel directors resign over fleet changes

Red Funnel's three vehicle ferries are about 30 years old

Eight bosses have resigned from a ferry company amid plans to replace its ageing boats.

Red Funnel, which runs ferries between Southampton and the Isle of Wight, lost two thirds of its directors on 28 February, according to Companies House.

The resignations were part of a board structure review and "in support of [its] fleet replacement programme", the business said.

Its three vehicle ferries are about 30 years old.

Red Osprey makes 4,000 Solent crossings each year

Red Funnel's vehicle ferries are each able to carry 892 passengers and more than 200 cars across the Solent, between Southampton and East Cowes.

Red Falcon and Red Osprey, both built in 1994, are the company's oldest ferries. Red Eagle joined the fleet a short time later, in 1996.

A spokesperson for Red Funnel told the BBC: "Red Funnel, like most companies, periodically reviews its Board structures and memberships, and the recent change is in support of our fleet replacement programme.

"We are keen to replace our aging 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."

It did not give further details of a timeline to replace the fleet.

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