Story perspectives

FastCat resumes service at 4:15pm from Portsmouth Harbour

By Drooid · Oct 13, 2026, 10:21 PM UTC · How we work

Summary

Story summary

Cross-Solent operator announced FastCat service resumes at 4:15 pm from Portsmouth Harbour.
Ryde Pier stays closed to vehicles and pedestrians after a police car crashed through its barrier.
A 29-year-old Ryde man was arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and is in custody.
Firefighters from Ryde and Shanklin freed two officers.
Recovery teams winched the police car back onto the pier.

History

Historical Context

The 12 March 1972 collision of MV Mona’s Queen with Ryde Pier occurred while Sealink, the British Rail-owned ferry operator, still ran Isle of Wight services. The accident spurred a shift toward newer roll-on/roll-off vessels, exemplified by MV Cenwulf—built in 1973 for the Lymington-Yarmouth route and later transferred to Wightlink after Sealink’s 1984 privatisation. Safety upgrades remain a focus.

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Story summary

Cross-Solent operator announced FastCat service resumes at 4:15 pm from Portsmouth Harbour.
Ryde Pier stays closed to vehicles and pedestrians after a police car crashed through its barrier.
A 29-year-old Ryde man was arrested on suspicion of indecent exposure and is in custody.
Firefighters from Ryde and Shanklin freed two officers.
Recovery teams winched the police car back onto the pier.

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