RED Funnel says it is proud of its staff following a "very challenging situation" at its East Cowes Ferry Terminal yesterday afternoon (Sunday).

The cross-Solent ferry company says a vulnerable passenger refusing to disembark the Red Falcon ferry was the cause of disruption.

Red Funnel says its staff, and everyone involved, did everything they could to resolve the situation as safely as possible, with the passenger’s welfare the primary concern.

At 4pm yesterday afternoon, Red Falcon had ground to a halt in the East Cowes terminal, causing significant delays.

Police and ambulance were called to the scene, and the the passenger ­— a women in her 20s ­— was brought off the vessel.

Read more: Red Funnel ferry stuck in terminal waiting for passenger to disembark

Red Funnel says that although the passenger was accompanied by two carers, it was a very challenging situation for its crew.

It said it was very proud of the efforts displayed by staff members who assisted.

Read Red Funnel's full statement below:

“We experienced a delay to our vehicle ferry service during the afternoon of November 1, due to a vulnerable passenger refusing to disembark Red Falcon following her arrival in East Cowes at 4pm.

"Although the passenger was accompanied by two carers, it was a very challenging situation for our crew, which resulted in the police attending, and subsequently, the ambulance service as a precaution.

"No passengers or crew were hurt during the incident.

“Everyone involved did everything they could to resolve the situation as safely as possible, with the passenger’s welfare at the forefront of our response.

"We are very proud of the efforts displayed by the Red Funnel crew who assisted.

“Red Falcon resumed her planned sailings at 6.10pm, around one hour and 40 minutes after her scheduled departure.

"We apologise to our other passengers who were disrupted by the delay.”