Overview
- Routine inspections identified insects believed to be fleas in the St Clare passenger lounge, prompting Wightlink to withdraw the ferry from the Portsmouth–Fishbourne service as a precaution.
- The operator has arranged specialist fumigation and enhanced cleaning of the vessel and says the ferry will return only after safety checks are completed.
- Multiple sailings were cancelled over the weekend, with local reporting noting more than ten evening cancellations on the affected route.
- Wightlink has apologised and is rebooking affected customers onto alternative sailings where space allows but warned capacity on remaining services is limited.
- The company suggested a travelling pet may have been the likely source of the insects, a claim that has been reported but not independently confirmed.