Cowes Floating Bridge: Troubled ferry will always need push - report

The £3.2m Floating Bridge 6 has been beset with problems since it was introduced in May 2017

The Isle of Wight's troubled chain ferry will always need a boat to help push it during spring tides, a report has found.

A review of Floating Bridge 6 in Cowes concluded no changes to the current vessel would allow it to cope with the strongest fast-flowing spring ebb tides.

A support vessel has cost £658,000 over three years.

The chain ferry on the River Medina has been plagued with problems since 2017.

The report by consultancy firm 3S, costing almost £50,000, looked at recommendations and options for the future for the council-owned service.

An agreement with Solent and Wightline Cruises to provide a support barge - MV Seaclear - is due to run out next year, but could be extended.

'Radically redesigned'

The barge is used to keep the bridge running in all tides after an issue meant the vessel's chains were snagging.

Floating Bridge 6 is more than 100 tonnes heavier than its predecessor, said 3S, adding a lighter, "radically redesigned" smaller vessel would go some way towards achieving the required chain depth and resolving berthing issues.

Isle of Wight Council is considering its options and if it was to get an electric vessel, which is the authority's leader's preferred choice, it could be faster and reduce downtime, said 3S.

The report is due to be discussed at a meeting of the council's scrutiny meeting on Tuesday.

The vessel has faced a number of issues - last summer a software problem meant it was out of service for a month, costing the council £112,000 in repairs and lost revenue during the summer tourist season.

Crossings are also due to be paused for a week while its annual refit takes place from 4 March. A launch for foot passengers and cyclists will run but drivers face a 12-mile detour via Newport.

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