The last operational passenger and vehicle ferry in the U.K that was ordered by Sealink U.K. Ltd., Wightlink’s 2,983gt/1983 built St. Helen (above), retired from operational service on 26th March. The ship had spent 32 years based on the Portsmouth-Fishbourne route and revolutionised cross-Solent travel along with her older sister St. Catherine.

The latter was withdrawn and sold to Sardinian ferry operator Delcomar in 2010 and renamed GB Conte. The St. Helen has been sold to the same company so will be reunited with her sister for the summer of 2015. The St. Helen was also the last ship to be built at Henry Robb Shipbuilders in Leith. Replacing the St. Helen as a stop-gap prior to new vessels being built is the Lymington- Yarmouth ferry Wight Light. This vessel and her two sisters (Wight Sky/Sun) will be rotated on the Portsmouth service as and when required. A special sailing, departing Portsmouth Gunwharf at 1030, marked the St. Helen’s withdrawal. Wightlink itself was purchased by Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners LLP in February.

On 27th March Red Funnel unveiled its new look 3,953gt/1994 built Red Osprey, which returned to service that day following a major £2.2m interior refurbishment. The vessel now mirrors her sister ship, the Red Falcon, which was refitted in March 2014. Both received new north & south A Deck passenger lounges, AA Deck sun decks and refurbished main lounges. The Red Eagle will be revamped in the coming year. The Red Osprey’s refit was awarded to local marine interior specialists Trimline, who finished the project in just eight weeks. All three Raptor Class car ferries were enlarged in Poland 2003-2005.

The Southsea-Ryde hovercraft operator Hovertravel celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2015.