Red Funnel’s new Hi-Speed passenger catamaran Red Jet 7 has entered the water for the first time in East Cowes on the Isle of Wight.

The £7m addition to Red Funnel’s Red Jet fleet has been built at the Wight Shipyard.

The new 275-seater is a sister ship to Red Jet 6, also built by Wight Shipyard in 2016.

The final fit out and commissioning of on-board systems will take place with the vessel alongside at East Cowes and will be followed by extensive sea trials and crew training in the Solent.

Red Jet 7 will be named at a special ceremony at Trinity Parade in Cowes on July 24 and will then enter regular service between Southampton and West Cowes.