Red, Wight and blue

摘要

As the first high-speed ferry to have been constructed in the UK for 15 years, and the debut newbuild from a company born out of a prestigious motor yacht restoration project, the £6 million (US$8.5 million) catamaran Red Jet 6 signifies an important, potentially seminal milestone for the industry. Operator Red Funnel Ferries is set to commission the 41m catamaran on its high-speed route between Southampton and the Isle of Wight following the official naming ceremony at Cowes during early July this year. The company's Red Jet service, linking West Cowes with Southampton, carries more than 1.1 million passengers annually. The advances in efficiency, reliability and passenger comfort encapsulated by the latest vessel sharpen competitiveness and provide the basis for future traffic development.