Sandbanks Ferry on track for end of October return as final parts are fitted
The Sandbanks Chain Ferry is on course for its planned return to service at the end of October, as the final elements of the repair are completed, now that the hydraulic couplings have arrived from Sweden.
The ferry, which is currently in a repair facility in Southampton, is undergoing extensive checks and testing ahead of a Marine and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspection next week, prior to being towed back to Dorset for several days of intensive testing on chains ahead of opening for service.
Mike Kean, Managing Director of the Sandbanks Ferry Company, said: “We fully understand how frustrating and inconvenient the ferry service suspension has been to residents and businesses. That’s why, in addition to carrying out the required repairs, we have used this outage time to carry out many non-essential maintenance and replacement tasks, well ahead of their required schedule.
“We hope that this extensive programme of preventative works will offer our customers an additional layer of confidence that we have done everything possible to ensure that the ferry will offer a regular and reliable service in the years to come.”
Updates on the final aspects of the repairs, including information on the scheduled tow back from Southampton, will be posted each weekday on the Sandbanks Ferry Company’s Facebook, Twitter and website until the ferry is back in service. The planned date of service return is expected to be at the end of October, with exact information on the date of the service recommencement will be announced to the media and via the Company’s social channels in due course.
Mike Kean added, “We are truly thankful for the patience and support of our customers during this exceptional outage period. We are looking forward to returning the ‘Bramble Bush Bay’ to its rightful place as a vital transport link for the people of Studland, Swanage and Poole, and to restoring the trusted and reliable service which local residents have rightfully come to expect over many years.”
Visit the Sandbanks Ferry Company at www.sandbanksferry.co.uk , on Twitter at @sandbanksferry and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/sandbanksferry .