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The government has suspended competition rules for the Isle of Wight ferry operators
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-suspend-competition-law-to-support-isle-of-wight-ferry-routes (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-suspend-competition-law-to-support-isle-of-wight-ferry-routes)
This is primarily to keep essential goods flowing, and allow access to mainland health services.

At about the same time Wightlink has suspended the Lymington - Yarmouth ferry https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-52071468 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-52071468)

Some islanders want all ferry services suspended to protect them from the virus.

No ferry services?  Reckon there would be a shortage of Food and Toilet Rolls very soon ;D

No ferry services?  Reckon there would be a shortage of Food and Toilet Rolls very soon ;D
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Where's broadgage when you want him..  :(

Portsmouth to the island stopped now too, from SWR journey check.

Please be aware that the Wight Link ferries between Portsmouth / Lymington and the Isle of Wight have been suspended until further notice. 

I expect SWR are probably reporting about the Lymington to Yarmouth and the passenger service from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde, But as of today the Wightlink site still has the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry operating two hourly.

Paul

The government is giving a hand to the ferries
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/emergency-fund-of-up-to-105-million-to-support-lifeline-transport-links-to-the-isle-of-wight-and-the-isles-of-scilly (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/emergency-fund-of-up-to-105-million-to-support-lifeline-transport-links-to-the-isle-of-wight-and-the-isles-of-scilly)

Also announced, BBC Live

Heard the occasional aircraft fly over to/from LEQ/Landsend airport, mostly enroute to the Scillies.
I had assumed that the type of aircraft they utilised had to be 'run up' and fly so many hours hours a month; plus keeping their MoT (do they have MoT?) up to date.
Fully aware the jumbo's need services at -so-many-hours- so guess the smaller ones also require a similar service.
Also aware pilots need to perform so many hours a month flying, and would that apply to the Scillies craft?

Whilst the Scillonian and Mali Rose are laid up, the Gry Maritha is taking freight from Penzance.
Of course, the all three would have been working flat out for the past few months as the World Pilot Gig rowing championships would be next week (1st-3rd May).  There would be no accommodation to be had on the Scillies anywhere!

Plus of course, this year the newly reformed Tresco helicopters would have been flying to Tresco and St Marys.
I understand they were having to use a smaller helicopter as their new 16 seater was stuck in China under the Chinese lockdown.
However, they ceased operations within a few weeks of opening in March.

One morning last week I watched 2 flights on FlightRadar24 leave Isles of Scilly for Lands End about 10 minutes apart. I looked to see if that was normal but the Isles of Scilly Travel website is not currently displaying timetables.

The Sandbanks ferry has also stopped.

From BBC (https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-dorset-52351788) on 20th April

From the Isle of Scilly Steamship website, I gather freight goes on the Gry M; whilst essential passenger travel still goes by air.
Also wonder if it's the way of keeping pilots hours up.

Isle of Wight (Cowes) chain ferry is out of operation:
https://www.iwfloatingbridge.co.uk/update-on-cowes-floating-bridge-essential-works-required/ (https://www.iwfloatingbridge.co.uk/update-on-cowes-floating-bridge-essential-works-required/)
How long have they had this new ferry?

I think its been in use about 4 years. however its not very reliable. Last time I was there at the end of 2018. The hinge on the West Cowes end ramp had snapped. Its not the sort of thing Screwfix keep in stock.

On an earlier visit the new ferry had just been put into use but was having some work done the day I was there.

So I have only got to use it once and then there was a hold up. It was high tide and someone discovered that the front of his Aston Martin hit the road when unloading in East Cowes. Much to the amusment of the locals queuing to board.

On a very local level, the cross-harbour ferries from Hannover Quay to the SS GB in Bristol have recently restarted.

Thats good news, and nice to hear.

For very short crossings, there is a lot be said for chain ferries, since they may be hauled by relatively clean and green electric power rather than by diesel engines.
For slightly longer routes, battery power is now available.

In my view, existing diesel power powered ferries should continue in service for their economic lives, perhaps being re-deployed on other routes.

Newly built ferries should be electric, unless there is some compelling reason to do otherwise.

Whilst we on a Norwegian cruise last year, our guide pointed out an all electric (Norwegian) car and passenger ferry.
https://electrek.co/2019/08/21/worlds-largest-electric-ferry/
Whilst fjord crossings are of limited distance, they could be used here in the UK for many crossing routes

Good. A lot about the size of the ferries, though it would be good to know the maximum range they can cope with. Would the range be suitable for a short Channel crossing, for instance?

Yes I believe that electric ferries would be suitable for the shorter channel crossings.
When ships are considered, bigger is better, within reason. A larger ship uses less fuel per ton than a smaller one.
A cross channel ferry could charge, briefly at each end of the route, both the UK and nearer parts of Europe have well developed grid systems that can supply the charging load of many megawatts.

Some routes to small islands may only allow charging at the mainland end, due to limited electrical infrastructure on some islands.

Yes, this is obviously true, but there will be many other impacts. Perhaps most importantly will be noise pollution that affects many maritime creatures ability to navigate.

I agree, but electric ferries should produce a lot less noise than diesel powered ships.

The idea of overhead electrification for a ferry sounds...well...implausible...BUT:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_boat#Wired_electric_boats (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_boat#Wired_electric_boats)

and a brief video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JjIpbso29s (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JjIpbso29s)

Applied to canals: https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2009/12/trolley-canal-boats.html (https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2009/12/trolley-canal-boats.html)

The two chain ferries I am familiar with, Torpoint and Cowes, as far as I know, rely on the chain dropping down behind the ferry so other vessels can pass. As a result, they are diesel powered on board (one I think with electric transmission and one with hydraulic), rather than from a motor on shore. I imagine it would be possible to use batteries or some form of battery/mains hybrid, but mains only operation seems non-viable.