Red Jet 4

MV Red Jet 4 is a passenger catamaran ferry operated by Red Funnel on their route from Southampton to Cowes on the Isle of Wight, along with sister ships Red Jet 6 and Red Jet 7.

History

She was built by North West Bay Ships in Hobart, Tasmania, Australia. After her launch on 20 February 2003 the catamaran was placed aboard a heavy lift ship to be transported to Southampton which arrived on 9 May 2003. She was officially named by Dame Ellen MacArthur on 18 June 2003 and entered service five days later. During those 5 days the ship was used for a number of excursions including following the Round the Island Race.
On 11 November 2008 Red Jet 4 was used on a number of sightseeing trips to view Queen Elizabeth 2 before it left Southampton for the final time.
In March 2024 Red funnel announced that Red Jet 4 had been withdrawn from service stating it was due to declining passenger numbers. In May 2024 Red Jet 4 was sold to the South Korean ferry operator Namhae Express Co. In late May 2024 the ship left Southampton aboard the ship AAL Kobe.

Incidents

On 5 November 2016, while passing Fawley en route to Cowes, Red Jet 4 was in a sidelong collision with a man riding a jet ski. The man was uninjured and was picked up by a companion on another machine. Red Jet 4 circled to make sure the rescue was successful before continuing on its course.

In popular culture

Red Jet 4 is featured in the 2008 video game Ship Simulator 2008 with the MV Red Eagle as a sailable ship, as well as featuring in Ship Simulator Extremes.