Isle of Wight ferry operator Wightlink has been granted permission to allow passengers to stay in their cars during some of its crossing during the coronavirus pandemic.
Wightlink has been working actively with the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to get the authorisation after demand from customers.
From Thursday (March 19), some sailings on the Portsmouth to Fishbourne routes will operate on a ‘remain in vehicle’ basis for all drivers and their passengers. No foot passengers will be carried on these services.
The option will be available on one of its larger ships, St Clare, which sails on the even hour from Portsmouth (06:00, 08:00 etc) and the odd hour from Fishbourne (07:00, 09:00 etc).
All other services (both Portsmouth-Fishbourne and Lymington-Yarmouth) will operate in the usual way with all customers leaving their vehicles after embarkation and spending the crossing in passenger lounges.
Customers wanting to change their bookings can do free of charge online.
Wightlink said its passenger lounges are ‘generally large and spacious with room for everyone who wants to travel’.
