The hovercraft service between Hampshire and the Isle of White has been cancelled due to concerns over the safety of one of its craft.
The suspension comes after an incident involving the newest hovercraft in which part of a propeller came off.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said an investigation found inconsistencies in safety management systems – particularly with vessel maintenance, and as such safety inspectors had to take action.
Hovertravel, the company in question, has been running ferries between Southsea and Ryde since 1965.
The suspension of the hovercraft service means Freedom 90 and Island Express will not be able to operate until further notice.
The hovercraft in question was built five years ago on the Isle of Wight and Hovertravel has apologised to its customers for the inconvenience caused.
Hovertravel told the BBC: “The safety of customers, crew and hovercraft are of paramount importance.
“Hovertravel are working with the MCA continually throughout this evening and the weekend to ensure the capability of the craft before they are returned to service.”
Richard Pellew, Maritime and Coastguard Agency area operations manager for the South East, said: “we are working closely with Hovertravel and the propeller manufacturers to investigate the circumstances around the propeller failure.
“Hovertravel’s management team has responded positively to our concerns and we will be working with them over the weekend to resolve the issues so these hovercrafts can return to service as soon as possible.”
Paul Clifton, BBC South’s Transport correspondent, said: “For passengers this has come without warning, so anyone expecting to travel will have to find a different route.
“this is the world’s longest running commercial hovercraft service and it’s the only one in Europe.
“At eight minutes, it’s also the fastest route to and from the island.
“For the Maritime and Coastguard Agency this is unprecedented. Very occasionally inspectors have prevented a single passenger ship from operating – on two or three occasions in the last 20 years.”
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