Royal naming for new £7m hi-speed flagshipÂ

TRAVELLING to the Isle of Wight has just got a whole lot smoother and more comfortable with the arrival of a new hi-speed vessel.
By The Newsroom
Published 25th Jul 2018, 16:56 BST
Updated 25th Jul 2018, 17:04 BST
Red Jet 7Red Jet 7
Red Jet 7

HRH The Duchess of Cornwall officially named Red Funnel's new flagship Red Jet 7 at a ceremony on Tuesday. 

The Right Reverend Christopher Foster, Lord Bishop of Portsmouth, also blessed the ship at the event in Cowes.

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Red Jet 7 was built in East Cowes by Wight Shipyard Co through a £7m investment by Red Funnel in its Southampton to West Cowes route. This follows the success of sister ship Red Jet 6. 

Peter Morton, CEO of Wight Shipyard, said: '˜Red Jet  7 demonstrates that we can build technically advanced high-speed ferries that are among the best in the world.' 

Fran Collins, Red Funnel's CEO, said: '˜The arrival of Red Jet 7 continues to enhance our fleet and gives customers an unrivalled travel experience.'  

Red Jet 7 can reach 39 knots (44.9 mph) and uses waterjets rather than propellers to aid manoeuvrability. It has 275 seats,  four wheelchair spaces, USB charging points and free wi-fi, plus six LED TVs. 

Related topics:Isle of Wight