Portsmouth Harbour boarding changes

The ongoing essential maintenance of the gangway and berth improvements at our Portsmouth Harbour port means there is a change to the way customers will board and disembark the FastCat.

Instead of using our usual ‘North End’ gangway to get on and off the FastCat, customers will use our ‘South End’ gangway at the opposite end of the port instead.

Boarding the FastCat this way includes a steep slope, a small number of steps and a narrow gangway on to the FastCat which means we need to take extra care of what can safely travel on the vessel.

Due to these changes, we will only be able to accommodate bicycles, pushchairs and prams on specific sailings where the tide is high enough to allow safe boarding and disembarkation from Monday, 20 October.

If the tide is too low, or if you’re travelling with a wheelchair or mobility scooter on any sailing, please use the Portsmouth – Fishbourne car ferry instead. Alternatively, Hovertravel will accept Wightlink tickets if preferred.

If you’re travelling with heavy luggage, please ensure you’re able to navigate the slope, steps, and narrow gangway safely.

Please see our timetable for more information.

There are no changes to boarding or disembarking at Ryde Pier Head.

See timetables
Aerial view of two Wightlink FastCat ferries docked side by side at Portsmouth Harbour, labelled with blue markers showing the 'North End Berth' and 'South End Berth'

Why is this necessary?

The Portsmouth Harbour North End berth is the main gangway for all customers boarding and disembarking at Portsmouth Harbour. To ensure it remains safe and reliable for the future, we’re carrying out essential maintenance on the gangway and working with marine designers to improve the berth’s design and structure.

As part of this work, we’ll be replacing the pilings – these are the large supports that sit at the edge of the berth and extend down into the seabed. They play a crucial role in absorbing the weight and pressure of the FastCat during berthing, helping to protect the berth from damage.

We expect the berth and gangway to be back in service by April 2026, allowing time for the engineering and installation of the new pilings.

FastCat toilets

While we’re using the North End berth at Portsmouth Harbour, we’re unable to empty the sewage tanks on our FastCats in the usual way. Normally, waste is pumped directly from the vessel to the Harbour’s sewage system. However, during this period, we need to berth at the Camber layby (Portsmouth Car Ferry port) and use a road tanker to remove the waste.

This process must be carefully timed to avoid disrupting FastCat sailings and car ferry operations. To help us maintain the timetable, the toilets onboard the FastCats will remain closed unless there’s an emergency.

Toilet facilities at Portsmouth Harbour and Ryde Pier Head remain open and available for customer use as usual.

FastCat refits 2025

To keep our vessels running smoothly and safely, we carry out a scheduled annual overhaul—and that time has come again. Over the next few weeks, you might notice equipment being stored and used around the FastCats, including areas you pass through when boarding, disembarking or while seated on board.

These refits are an essential part of maintaining the high standards you expect from us, and we appreciate your understanding while we carry them out.

Need help with your booking or have a question?

If you need any help with your booking, our friendly team is here for you. You can call us on 0333 999 7333:

  • Monday to Friday: 09:00 – 18:00
  • Weekends: 09:00 – 17:00

We’ll be happy to assist you.

If you have any questions about the maintenance work or improvements at Portsmouth Harbour, feel free to email us at [email protected].