Name MV Red Jet 4 Laid down 2002 Construction started 2002 Tonnage 108,900 kg Builder North West Bay Ships | Yard number 06 In service 23 June 2003 Status In service Launched 2003 Tonnage 108,900 kg Capacity 275 | |
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Red jet 4 at town quay
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 3, Red Jet 5 and the latest Red Jet 6.
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She was built by North West Bay Ships in Hobart, Tasmania. After her launch on 20 February 2003 she was placed aboard a heavy lift ship to be transported to Southampton where she arrived 9 May 2003.
She first entered service in 2003, being bought as the newest catamaran in Red Funnel's catamaran fleet. MV Red Jet 4 is one of the most operated ships within Red Funnel's high speed fleet. She has operated the same regular route throughout her life. 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.
On 5 November 2016, while passing Fawley en route to Cowes, she was struck by a man on a water scooter in a sidelong collision. Fortunately the man wasn't hurt 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.
She is featured in the 2008 video game Ship Simulator 2008 with the MV Red Eagle as a sailable ship.
