Chain ferries - should they be the 'stand on vessel'? wa

I think the issue here is mainly one of tides - which may make the area which the ferry ‘bridges’, into rather a rapid one-way street.

Once you’re going along it, there’s no turning back, so if a whopping great tethered obstruction starts coming over, it’s too late to pull out and wait. Maybe not a problem under power, but it seems to have been engineless keelboats that suffered at Poole.
 
Poole Chain Ferry near disaster

That video is just 'orrible real nightmare stuff. Makes me realise what a benign environment I sail in with very small tides
It shows the difficultly the guys in the RIB had in getting the victims on board. I can see that over the bow was the only option given that the RIB was pinned against the ferry hull. But the bow is the highest point of the RIB hull so the hardest to get someone over.
I guess the guys in the sail boat had no chance once they hit the ferry. The only possibility being to walk the sail boat along the ferry hull but apparently the tide was too strong. This also shows how a self draining cockpit sealed hull might have averted the sinking. I can't imagine why people still sail in open boats. ie capable of being swamped. Perhaps just because it is traditional. thanks for the video olewill
 
I have to say I'm a little bemused by all the emotion about chain ferries, they haven't suddenly been dropped by parachute or something, and one knows to expect them; hopefully showing consideration, as someone said " like flashing headlamps to let a car out of a layby ".

I've always found the Cowes & Poole chain ferry operators to be considerate, waiting for boats like mine to pass; especially if struggling against a tide.

I did find the report of the Cowes 'floating bridge' stationary in mid-river a bit worrying though, I've visited the place regularly since 1970 and never seen that ! :eek:

For a different slant, have a look at master boat designer Uffa Fox's book ( naturally I don't recall the title right now ) where he lived on a retired Cowes chain ferry; his approach to people calling about bills - and cyclists going across his land - has a lot going for it ! :)
 
Seajet said:
For a different slant, have a look at master boat designer Uffa Fox's book ( naturally I don't recall the title right now ) where he lived on a retired Cowes chain ferry; his approach to people calling about bills - and cyclists going across his land - has a lot going for it ! :)
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Go on then, don't keep us in suspense :)

Pete
 
Seajet said:
I've always found the Cowes & Poole chain ferry operators to be considerate, waiting for boats like mine to pass; especially if struggling against a tide.
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On at least one occasion I've been going upriver agin the tide in Cowes, at the end of the season when the weed is at its longest and just come to a halt, throttle wide open, stemming the tide perfectly. Being at the narrowest point on the Medina the chain ferry pilots must be used to it, but they still wait until I turn back for another run-up before setting off themselves.
(And thanks to anyone who has kindly given me a tow past there over the years. :rolleyes:)
 
Evadne said:
On at least one occasion I've been going upriver agin the tide in Cowes, at the end of the season when the weed is at its longest and just come to a halt, throttle wide open, stemming the tide perfectly. Being at the narrowest point on the Medina the chain ferry pilots must be used to it, but they still wait until I turn back for another run-up before setting off themselves.
(And thanks to anyone who has kindly given me a tow past there over the years. :rolleyes:)
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Turning back, then having to negotiate the Red Funnel berthing, or the gaggle of yachts outside Shepards Marina, as the tide sweeps you out!

Such fun? :D
 
Health & Safety types look away now

Evadne,

I thought you were going to say they wait then pounce !

Pete,

Uffa Fox was a little eccentric to say the least; he lived for a while on an old Cowes chain ferry, and was a little ambivalent about paying bills...when the GPO called about an unpaid phone bill, he mimicked a choirboy, " is that Jesus wanting me for a sunbeam" !

Also when he had a place near Cowes, he was infuriated by a chap who used to cycle along the public footpath through his land.

His answer was to place a rabbit he'd shot previously, on the far side of the path; he lay in wait with a shotgun, & took out the chaps' front wheel; when it went to court he just claimed he'd been going for the rabbit and didn't expect anyone going as fast as a bike on a footpath...I suspect the court was used to him and just shrugged, but having chums like the Prince of Wales can't have been too much of a hindrance, either :rolleyes:
 
Cowes chain ferry is known as the 'Floating Bridge', I think it may be on some official signs; if one watches 'Industrial Revelations' there is or was a true moving bridge across the Tyne.
 
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Parsifal's link there, is worth a look. I'd have loved to see that thing working.

I've read of the fear of keels being obstructed by the chain-farry's chains, but are there any actual recorded instances?
 
dancrane said:
I've read of the fear of keels being obstructed by the chain-farry's chains, but are there any actual recorded instances?
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Yes.

About 5-6 yrs ago I crewed on a yacht on the Round-the-Island race and we stayed at E Cowes. When we came to leave, the ferry was stationary with lots of lifeboats, etc in attendance. On enquiry, we found that a yacht had kits rudder/keel trapped in the chain.
 
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