Ferries across waterways - whether by vehicle, foot or both (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[JayMac]

The Cowes chain ferry has always been known as the Floating Bridge.

The first vessel began service in 1859. Commissioned by the Floating Bridge Company. That company was later purchased by The Isle of Wight Steam Packet Company (today's Red Funnel) who commissioned the second and third vessels in 1882 and 1896.

In 1909 the ferry service was taken over by the local authorities West & East Cowes Urban Councils, passing to successor authorities, Medina Borough Council in 1974, and Isle of Wight Council in 1995.

There have been six vessels under local authority ownership. 'Named' Bridge No.1 to Bridge No.6. The latest, Bridge No.6, entered service in 2017 but, after a catalogue of faults, groundings, and failures, it was announced in March 2024 that it would be replaced.

When Bridge No.6 was due to enter service, Isle of Wight Council sought suggestions from residents to give it a proper name. A petition for Floaty McFloatface garnered over 2,000 signatures. The naming competition was postponed by local elections in 2017 and was never restarted after problems with the vessel started becoming apparent. The vessel remains Bridge No.6. A bridge too far?

[bobm]

The current bridge has proved so unreliable there are now electronic road signs on the outskirts of the town advising whether it is in operation or not.  This has saved council staff going out with A-boards everytime the service is suspended.

[chuffed]

Could this be the start of a lucrative Youtube career for the ubiquitous Finn ?

[JayMac]

I've just learnt of another ferry service in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) thanks to a YouTube channel I subscribe to - Auto Shenanigans. Which incidentally is a great channel if you want to learn quirky facts about the motorways and roads of the UK. Just the right balance of nerdiness and humour I enjoy. The channel features occasional diversions such as this video about an amphibious ferry that crosses the mouth of the River Towy in south west Wales, between Ferryside and Llansteffan.



And the amphibious ferry's website.
https://www.carmarthenbayferries.co.uk/

[Western Pathfinder]

And there is a button expressly for the purpose so I've pressed it Jay

[JayMac]

And there is a button expressly for the purpose so I've pressed it Jay

That's hwicked, sweet, awesome.

[froome]

I don't suppose Stornoway harbour looks that calm on many days!

[GBM]

https://stmichaelsmount.co.uk/news/the-st-michael-is-unveiled/

Mostly used for staff runs, rather than public usage.

[Oxonhutch]

All newer than the last one I sailed on - Mallaig-Armadale 1980 with motorbike slung onboard by a crane. Undergraduate field trip to Arran. The bike went on the train in the guard’s van at half fare with Student Railcard discount. Good memories.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Please don't mention Guard's Vans - you'll set Broadgage off again. 

[JayMac]

On the way home from Yorkshire I stopped off in Shakespeare town. Took a ride on a passenger ferry that I don't think has yet been mentioned in this thread.

The only manually operated public chain ferry in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

[Mark A]

Another? Trowlock Island on the Thames has a user-operated chain ferry.

Mark

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/597000

[grahame]

The only manually operated chain ferry in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

?   Isn't there a chain - or is it a rope - ferry across the river in Evesham, and rope ferries at the Weymouth Boating club (or whatever it's called) by the lifeboat station out to the moorings that aren't connected to the shore?

[JayMac]

The only manually operated chain ferry in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom).

?   Isn't there a chain - or is it a rope - ferry across the river in Evesham, and rope ferries at the Weymouth Boating club (or whatever it's called) by the lifeboat station out to the moorings that aren't connected to the shore?

Wikipedia, and the bloke doing the winding, both say it's a chain ferry.

[JayMac]

Another? Trowlock Island on the Thames has a user-operated chain ferry.

Mark

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/597000

I don't think this one is a public ferry.  Only used for private access to the residential properties on Trowlock Island.