How It Works
OnwardAlert monitors island transport services around the clock and sends you a plain-English email the moment something affects your journey.
What We Monitor
We track live service status across all major transport operators. Select your island below:
Wightlink
Ferry services between Portsmouth & Fishbourne, and Lymington & Yarmouth. We monitor all sailings and vehicle ferry status in real time.
Red Funnel
Car and passenger ferry services between Southampton & East Cowes, plus the Red Jet hi-speed passenger catamaran.
Hovertravel
The world’s only commercial hovercraft service, running between Southsea & Ryde. Weather-sensitive — we watch it closely.
Southern Vectis
The Island’s primary bus network. We monitor service disruptions, diversions, road closures, and route suspensions.
Alert Thresholds Explained
We send alerts based on the severity of the disruption. Here’s what each level means:
✅ Normal Service
Services are operating as scheduled. No alert is sent — no news is good news. You can travel with confidence.
⚠️ Warning
A potential disruption has been identified — such as adverse weather, reduced capacity, or a developing operational issue. We alert you early so you can monitor the situation and prepare alternatives.
🔴 Disrupted
A confirmed disruption is in effect — cancellations, suspensions, significant delays, or emergency conditions. We alert you immediately with all available details.
Email Delivery
When a disruption is detected that matches your route preferences, you’ll receive a clear, concise email alert containing:
- The affected operator and service
- The nature of the disruption
- The estimated impact and duration (where known)
- A direct link to the operator’s own status page for real-time updates
Alerts are sent as soon as we detect a change — not on a schedule. If you’re a commuter catching the 7am ferry, you’ll know about issues before you leave home.
No app required. No login. Just your inbox. Need to update your preferences? Your personal manage link is in every alert email we send you.
This is what a disruption alert looks like in your inbox. Plain, clear, and straight to the point — operator, route, severity, and a link to check live status.
See full-size email examples →

