MV Red Jet 4 is a passenger catamaran ferry formerly operated by Red Funnel on their route from Southampton to Cowes on the Isle of Wight, along with sister ships Red Jet 6 and Red Jet 7.

Red Jet 4 travelling towards Cowes
History
United Kingdom
NameMV Red Jet 4
Operator Red Funnel
BuilderNorth West Bay Ships
Yard number06
Laid down2002
Launched20 February 2003[1]
In service23 June 2003 - December 2024
Identification
StatusOut of service - listed for sale
General characteristics
Class and typeCatamaran ferry
Tonnage120 GT
Length39.82 m (130.6 ft)
Beam10.82 m (35.5 ft)
Draught1.26 m (4.1 ft)
Propulsion2 x MJP 650R-DD waterjets
Speed38.1 knots (70.6 km/h; 43.8 mph) (increasing to 41 knots (76 km/h; 47 mph) when lightly loaded)[1]
Capacity275
Crewmax 6

History edit

She was built by North West Bay Ships in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.[1] After her launch on 20 February 2003 the catamaran was placed aboard a heavy lift ship to be transported to Southampton which arrived on 9 May 2003.[1] She was officially named by Dame Ellen MacArthur on 18 June 2003 and entered service five days later.[1] During those 5 days the ship was used for a number of excursions including following the Round the Island Race.[1]

On 11 November 2008 Red Jet 4 was used on a number of sightseeing trips to view Queen Elizabeth 2 before it left Southampton for the final time.[2]

In March 2024 Red funnel announced that Red Jet 4 had been withdrawn from service stating it was due to declining passenger numbers.[3]

Incidents edit

On 5 November 2016, while passing Fawley en route to Cowes, Red Jet 4 was in a sidelong collision with a man riding a jet ski. The man was uninjured and was picked up by a companion on another machine. Red Jet 4 circled to make sure the rescue was successful before continuing on its course.[4]

In popular culture edit

Red Jet 4 is featured in the 2008 video game Ship Simulator 2008 with the MV Red Eagle as a sailable ship. As well as featuring in Ship Simulator Extremes.[5]

References edit

  1. ^ a b c d e f Adams, Keith (2010). Red Funnel 150 Celebrating One Hundred and Fifty Years of The Original Isle of Wight Ferries. Richard Danielson. p. 69. ISBN 9780951315552.
  2. ^ Adams, Keith (2010). Red Funnel 150 Celebrating One Hundred and Fifty Years of The Original Isle of Wight Ferries. Richard Danielson. p. 51. ISBN 9780951315552.
  3. ^ "Ferry axed by operator amid passenger decline and cost concerns". Daily Echo. 21 March 2024. Retrieved 22 March 2024.
  4. ^ "Man on jet ski ploughs into ferry off Southampton". BBC. Retrieved 5 November 2016.
  5. ^ "Ship Simulator 2008". Eurogamer. Retrieved 23 January 2010.

External links edit