By Isle of Wight Observer
Following more than 20 years of sailing the Solent, Red Funnel’s hi-speed passenger catamaran ferry, Red Jet 3, will be sailing in sunnier climates and warmer waters, following a recent purchase by a Croatian ferry company.
Setting off to her new home, Red Jet 3 was lifted out of the water in Southampton and hoisted onto a marine freight forwarder, where she will be transported to Croatia.
Red Jet 3, which was built in Cowes on the Isle of Wight by FBM Marine in 1998, will be affiliated with Adriatic Fast Ferries Ltd and sail under the new name Adriatic Express, which is yet to be confirmed. Within her new service, Red Jet 3 will be operating in the Split region of Croatia, where she will be serving passengers on a brand-new multi-leg route.
Alan Klanac, director of the buyers, said: “When we heard that Red Funnel was selling Red Jet 3, we jumped at the chance. She’s a super vessel, and her capacity and size are perfect for what we had in mind. I first visited Red Funnel in the summer of 2017 and had the opportunity to stay in West Cowes. Red Funnel is a trusted ferry provider, and I was very impressed with the warm welcome from its staff and its operations.
“Red Jet 3 is going to have a busy summer season, catering for thousands of tourists visiting the Croatian islands off Split. We envision the service being extremely popular, as it will offer passengers a quick and convenient way to reach the islands, direct from Split airport. I’m delighted to be taking over Red Jet 3, and I extend a warm welcome to all her faithful passengers over the years, to come and say hello to her on the Adriatic.”
Red Funnel CEO, Fran Collins, added: “Red Jet 3 was one of our original Solent Class Hi-Speed catamaran ferries and has transported millions of passengers across the Solent over the last two decades. She has been a great vessel and is a well-loved member of the Red Funnel ferry family. We hope Adriatic Fast Ferries Ltd enjoy many years of sailing.”
Red Funnel will now have three Red Jet Hi-Speed catamarans deployed in the UK on its cross-Solent ferry route.
