Red Jet 5, a £2m addition to Red Funnel's Hi-Speed fleet, was named with the traditional smashing of a bottle of champagne by Shirley Robertson OBE on 21 July 2009 at Cowes Yacht Haven.The ship was blessed by the Rev Emblin of Cowes before the ceremony.

Following a period of crew training she entered service towards the end of July. The new 35m Solent class catamaran joins sisters Red Jet 3 and Red Jet 4 on Red Funnel's Hi-Speed route between Southampton and West Cowes, on the Isle of Wight.

Powered by environmentally efficient MTU 4000 series engines and propelled by Kamewa waterjets, Red Jet 5 is very manoeuvrable and capable of speeds up to 38 knots.