The Southampton Isle of Wight and South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Public Limited Company was founded in 1861. Its official name remains the longest name for a registered company in the UK. The shortened name was quickly adopted after 1935 when all the ships operated by the company adopted the famous black-topped red funnel in their livery.

Red Funnel's flag is divided diagonally into quarters of (clockwise from the top): white, green, red, blue. This derives from the company's four original steamers: The Pearl, The Emerald, The Ruby and The Sapphire.

Red Funnel is the original operator to the Isle of Wight and for over 140 years Red Funnel Ferries have sailed between Southampton, the gateway to the Isle of Wight and Cowes, the undisputed home of world yachting. If taking a vehicle, you can relax for 55 minutes, soak up the sun and breathe the sea air as you cruise between Southampton and East Cowes on Red Funnel Ferries passenger vehicle ferry service.

With services around the clock, 364 days a year, Red Funnel Ferries offer a range of competitive fares for commuters, day trip, weekend break and longer stay visitors.

Currently Red Funnel operates three ferries on the Southampton - Cowes route: the Red Eagle, the Red Falcon and the Red Osprey.

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