Cowes 'floating bridge' suspended again after re-launch

Isle of Wight's troubled new "floating bridge" ran aground just hours after re-launching.

The ferry had returned to service earlier - although cars were heard scraping the ground as they were driven off the vessel.

Eye witnesses said the ferry ran aground and was suspended at about 15:00 BST.

It comes after the Maritime and Coastguard Agency suspended the service on 16 May over "training issues".

Video footage taken from the re-launch showed cars still struggling to disembark without striking the ramp on to the slipway.

Isle of Wight Council said there was "nothing mechanically wrong" with the floating bridge.

'Stranded schoolchildren'

A spokeswoman said: "The floating bridge is currently grounded at East Cowes. While the crews continue to get used to the dimensions of the new bridge, and when tides turn rapidly, this is a known and normal operational risk."

Eye witnesses said schoolchildren were "stranded" after the new chain ferry service was suspended and people were having to use a temporary launch.

The ferry resumed service at 19:42 BST.

Passengers were helped from the stricken chain ferry when it broke down on its first weekend in service

The old chain ferry was taken out of service on 2 January