Wightlink boss apologises after Lymington-Yarmouth services disrupted by cancelled trips and gaps in timetable
A WIGHTLINK ferry boss has promised to improve the Lymington-Yarmouth crossing after admitting a poor service had been caused by a lack of ships’ captains.
Chief executive Keith Greenfield hoped the cross-Solent route will return to pre-Covid levels this summer, writes Louise Hill of the Local Democracy Reporting Service.
There had been complaints in November by Yarmouth Town Council about problems with the Lymington crossing having a negative impact on the town.
During the autumn, the service was disrupted by cancelled trips and gaps in the timetables, due to a lack of crucial staff.
At a meeting with councillors, Mr Greenfield admitted performance had been poor between August and November.
He said the Yarmouth-Lymington route had operated at a 95% reliability rate, which was “far too many cancellations” compared to the standard it sets itself of at least 99.5%.
Mr Greenfield apologised but said crews had “bust a gut” to minimise the number of cancellations.
An unprecedented three of seven ships’ captains also left the company, which the ferry boss said he had never seen before during his time at Wightlink.
They have to be specially trained for each route and hold the highest possible qualifications, he said, so it took up to eight weeks to replace them.
In future, more captains will be trained to cover both vehicle crossing routes.
“The single issue meant we failed to provide a service you all expect and deserve,” said Mr Greenfield.
“I am glad to say we are back to where we should be and I cannot see any reason that should change.”
The meeting heard councillors claim it felt like Wightlink had run down its service by decreasing sailings and bringing forward the last sailing of the day.
They said it felt like the company was driving passengers away.
Mr Greenfield rejected the claims, saying he wanted the biggest and best possible service for Yarmouth.
He said: “It is a commercial service. The only income we have is ticket revenue and we have to gauge the size of the service to the demand that we think is there.”