Editing Wightlink (section)

==History==
[[File:wightlink-house-flag.svg|thumb|Wightlink's [[Maritime flag#House flag|House Flag]]]]
Wightlink and its forerunners have provided ferry services to and from the [[Isle of Wight]] for more than 160 years.<ref name=history>[https://web.archive.org/web/20090221033303/https://www.wightlink.co.uk/about-us/history.aspx History] Wightlink</ref> In the early 19th century, ferries ran to the island from [[Lymington]] and [[Portsmouth]]. Later, steam ferries operated a circular route around Lymington, [[Yarmouth, Isle of Wight|Yarmouth]], [[Cowes]], [[Ryde]] and Portsmouth. When the railway companies became involved, they concentrated on two direct routes, Lymington to Yarmouth and Portsmouth to Ryde.<ref name=history/> Operation of the ferries was eventually moved under a separate subsidiary of the [[British Railways Board]] called [[Sealink]].

In 1984 Sealink was sold to [[Sea Containers]].<ref>Sealink sale confirmed ''[[Modern Railways]]'' issue 432 September 1984 page 454</ref><ref>Intelligence ''[[Railway Gazette International]]'' September 1984 page 662</ref> When [[Stena Line]] bought Sealink in 1990, the Isle of Wight ferries remained with Sea Containers, as Wightlink.<ref name=history/> In June 1995 Wightlink was the subject of a [[management buyout]].<ref>[https://www.dailyecho.co.uk/news/5613926.wightlink-sold-to-its-management/ Wightlink sold to its management] ''[[Southern Daily Echo]]'' 17 October 2001</ref> In 2005 it was bought by the [[Macquarie Group|Macquarie]] European Infrastructure Fund.<ref name=history/>

In 2005, a Wightlink car ferry featured briefly in the film ''[[Fragile (film)|Fragile]]'' starring [[Calista Flockhart]]. The ferry is shown very briefly in a wide-angle shot. Closer shots used Red Funnel's {{MV|Red Osprey||2}}.<ref>{{Cite web|url = http://www.isleofwightguru.co.uk/blog/fragile-a-belated-isle-of-wight-related-film-review|title = Fragile - a belated Isle of Wight film review|website = Isle of Wight Guru|access-date = 8 March 2016}}</ref>

In October 2006 Wightlink announced its intention to build two new ferries for the Yarmouth to Lymington route. These ships are slightly bigger than their predecessors, with extra vehicle space, but only accommodate 360 passengers compared to 500 on the older vessels. Wightlink later announced that a third new ferry would enter service in spring 2009. A dispute with some Lymington residents led to delay and threatened the viability of the route.<ref name="LymingtonIWCP1">{{cite web| url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/threat-to-ferry-route-23127.aspx| title=Threat to ferry route| access-date=1 April 2009| publisher=[[Isle of Wight County Press]]| date=7 November 2008}}</ref><ref name="LymingtonIWCP2">{{cite web|url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/why-are-ferries-being-held-up-23246.aspx |title=Isle of Wight: MP Andrew Turner asks why introduction of new Wightlink ferry is being delayed |access-date=21 November 2008 |publisher=[[Isle of Wight County Press]] |date=14 November 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402124256/http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/why-are-ferries-being-held-up-23246.aspx |archive-date=2 April 2015 }}</ref> In November 2008, the service was reduced so only two ships were required, allowing for the delay in the introduction of the new vessels.<ref name="LymingtonNovTT">{{cite web|url=http://www.wightlink.co.uk/about-us/news/new-lymington-timetable.aspx |title=New Lymington Timetable |access-date=21 November 2008 |publisher=Wightlink |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081217081350/http://www.wightlink.co.uk/about-us/news/new-lymington-timetable.aspx |archive-date=17 December 2008 }}</ref> Sea trials were not complete by November 2008 and introduction became pressing with the expiry of safety certificates on the previous fleet. Wightlink proposed interim arrangements enabling them restricted use of the new ferries until the trials could be completed in full.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wightlink.co.uk/about-us/press-releases/20th-november-2008---introduction-of-new-ferries.aspx |title=Introduction of new Ferries|website=Wightlink|author=Andrew Wilson |date=20 November 2008 |access-date=29 March 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090403165530/http://www.wightlink.co.uk/about-us/press-releases/20th-november-2008---introduction-of-new-ferries.aspx |archive-date=3 April 2009 }}</ref>
[[File:Wightlink old logo.png|right|thumb|The previous Wightlink logo, replaced at around the time the new ferries were arriving.]]

In March 2008 Wightlink revealed that an order had been placed with FBMA Marine to construct two new passenger catamarans for the Portsmouth to Ryde service, to replace the three craft currently employed. They entered service in 2009.

From May 2008 Wightlink introduced a fuel surcharge on all crossings, linked to the price of [[Brent Crude]] oil.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.wightlink.co.uk/fuel/index.htm|publisher= Wightlink| title=Fuel Surcharge| access-date=29 March 2009 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080822170046/http://www.wightlink.co.uk/fuel/index.htm |archive-date = 22 August 2008}}</ref> However, in November 2008 the surcharge dropped to zero following the sharp drop in crude prices during the [[2008 financial crisis]] and as of November 2009 was still at zero.

Wightlink planned to spend £17.5 million on improving its Portsmouth to Fishbourne route.<ref name="WLports-fishUpgradePage">{{cite web| url=http://www.wightlink.co.uk/portsmouth---fishbourne.aspx| title=Portsmouth to Fishbourne Investment| publisher=Wightlink| access-date=27 March 2009}}</ref> This involved remodelling the terminal facilities at both Fishbourne and Portsmouth.  The flagship {{MV|St Clare|3=2}} was to have its upper car deck adjusted so vehicles access it directly from on-shore ramps. Two of the older ferries were to be stretched in length by 12 metres, with upper car decks similar to ''St Clare'''s being added, replacing movable mezzanine decks. Of the remaining two ferries, {{MV|St Catherine|3=2}} has been sold and {{MV|St Helen|3=2}} was used mainly for freight until she too was sold.<ref name="WLports-fishUpgradeLeaflet">{{cite web| url=http://www.wightlink.co.uk/media/41618/ports_fis_brochure.pdf| title=Portsmouth to Fishbourne Car Ferry Service – The Way Forward| publisher=Wightlink| date=Summer 2008}}</ref><ref name="IWCPwightlinkStretching">{{cite web| url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/wightlink-stretching-capacity-on-board-20118.aspx| title=Wightlink Stretching Capacity on Board| author=Lorraine Parker| publisher=[[Isle of Wight County Press]]| date=18 April 2008| access-date=27 March 2009}}</ref> As part of this investment project the reservations and ticketing system was replaced by CarRes from Carus.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shippax.com/en/members/search-articles.aspx?do=view&articleid=13876|title=Article Search|website=Shippax|access-date=24 September 2017}}</ref>

On 16 February 2015, Wightlink was sold by the Macquarie European Infrastructure Fund to [[Balfour Beatty]] Infrastructure Partners (BBIP).<ref>{{cite news |title=Wightlink bought by Balfour Beatty Infrastructure Partners |url=http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/wightlink-bought-by-balfour-beatty-infrastructure-partners-76519.aspx |access-date=20 March 2015 |work=Isle of Wight County Press |date=16 February 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150323062620/http://www.iwcp.co.uk/news/news/wightlink-bought-by-balfour-beatty-infrastructure-partners-76519.aspx |archive-date=23 March 2015}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Cross-Solent island ferry firm sold |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-31485563 |access-date=9 April 2019 |work=[[BBC News]]|date=16 February 2015}}</ref><ref>Wightlink changes hands ''[[Ships Monthly]]'' May 2015 page 11</ref> On 15 May 2015, Wightlink announced a revised investment of £45 million to include the purchase a new ferry, upgrading ''St Clare'' and modifications to the terminals at both ends to facilitate double-deck loading.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wightlink.co.uk/iow/pressrelease/wightlink-invests-45-million-new-ship-port-facilities/|title=Wightlink invests £45 million in a new ship and port facilities|website=Wightlink.co.uk|access-date=24 September 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=New island ferry in £45m investment |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-32749660 |access-date=9 April 2019 |work=BBC News |date=15 May 2015}}</ref>

In July 2016, Balfour Beatty exited BBIP, which became Basalt Infrastructure Partners.<ref>{{cite news |title=Balfour Beatty sells its Infrastructure Partners business |url=http://www.worldhighways.com/categories/auctions-equipment-supply-servicing-finance/news/balfour-beatty-sells-its-infrastructure-partners-business/ |access-date=9 April 2019 |work=World Highways |date=6 July 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Balfour Beatty exits from BBIP|url=http://www.stockmarketwire.com/article/5372096/Balfour-Beatty-exits-from-BBIP.html |access-date=9 April 2019 |work=Stock Market Wire|date=1 July 2016}}</ref>

In August 2017, Wightlink announced that a new vehicle ferry, {{MV|Victoria of Wight||2}}, would be built for the Portsmouth to Fishbourne service. It entered service on 26 August 2018.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.islandecho.co.uk/news/wightlink-reveals-name-new-flagship|title=Wightlink reveals the name of its new flagship|date=15 August 2017|website=IslandEcho.co.uk|access-date=24 September 2017}}</ref> In May 2019, BBIP sold a 50% stake in the business to Fiera Infrastructure of Canada.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ferry firm 50% stake sold to investor |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-hampshire-48581792 |access-date=19 June 2019 |work=BBC News |date=10 June 2019}}</ref>