Cowes Chain Ferry

[StellaGirl]

Sitting in the car on the chain ferry today, my boyfriend and I started to discuss what would happen if a keel caught the chains and then the conversation led to- has anyone ever done it....and what sort of mess it made?!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[sailorman]

yes saw a picture in yachting press some years age a large "racer" stuck-fast

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Laurin]

I had to use the chain ferry for the first time last month.... travelled to cowes in the land rover and nearly went for a paddle...... could have been nasty if ferry had been coming in!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Tezza]

Yep - some years ago - but only grazed it when passing astern. Bit like hitting the putty - nose dipped a tad, a momentary drop in speed, then off we bobbed towards East Cowes.

Last year I was on the ferry standing at the barrier, heading for West Cowes, when a somewhat under powered motor cruiser slowly eased just in front of the ferry fighting a strong ebb tide . We could almost touch the craft and it seemed sure we would collide. I've rarely seen such a horrified face on a skipper. There again you don't often get a mirror in the cockpit.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Peppermint]

Re: Not the chain but...

quite a few yachts are caught out by the stream in that area. Thoughs that fail to obey the bye-law to keep their engine on often get pinned to the ferry. This is a very bad thing as the ferry has spikey bits to gouge the culprits gel coat.

The ferry is usually quite considerate of boaties but once your pinned on you are going to get a bit of verbal. You will not get off without at least one boat, normally the HM, towing

The last one I saw was on the day of the SB Folly meeting. Not one of us though.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Jeremy_W]

Interesting fact

In 1985, on a cost per mile basis the Cowes Chain Ferry was more expensive than flying the Atlantic in Concorde or crossing the Atlantic on the QE2. So none of this "what if it goes wrong" defeatism!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Evadne]

Re: Not the chain but...

I got stuck there a few yaers ago, in a manner of speaking. End of season, lots of weed on the hull, very strong ebb tide. With the engine flat out we approached the ferry in ever decreasing increments until our trusty 6.5hp Yanmar and the tide cancelled each other out, just short of the narrowest point. The ferry driver looked at us, shrugged in a worldly wise fashion and set off across. We could have been there for hours watching the ferry but a nice man, in a Moody I think it was, towed us past the narrows, so we made it to the Folly before dark after all. He was going to East Cowes so I didn't even get to buy him a pint.


<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[robp]

Seem to remember that was Cowes Week! It was on the traffic reports most of the morning, caused havoc.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[oldharry]

Re: Same things happen at Poole...

There have been various episodes involving Pooles Sandbanks ferry - including a Sadler having its rudder ripped off after bouncing its keel over the chain, a local X boat (?) being dragged under it by the tide after losing the wind (the crew - miraculously - survived), and a car missing it on the ramp and heading off out to sea.

No doubt other 'Poolites' can enlarge on the tales....?

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[ChrisE]

Sandbanks ferry

Lots of tales about SBF. On a big spring you get 5 knots of tide, possibly more on the ebb, running in/out of the harbour mouth. When this happens the ferry is extending its chains well to the side and passing close is not a sensible option, although I have personally seen a PWC skipping and jumping UNDER the front ramp for fun.

The yacht got stuck recently was crewed by an elderly couple. Initially the yacht went alongside and the husband was rescued, wife went under the ferry and popped up the other side. Luckily, her lifejacket did not inflate otherwise the RNLI reckon she would have stuck underneath. They were in a race and I understand that the safety boat was a bit slow off the mark. The harbourmaster was not best pleased.

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Sandbanks tunnel

The harbourmaster was not best pleased

Neither, one imagines, were the elderly couple!

Surely it's time for the Sandbanks tunnel!

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[ChrisE]

For gawd\'s sake don\'t start the tunnel thread

You'll just get the pointyheads on the IoW banging on about their desparate need for one!

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[Twister_Ken]

Re: For gawd\'s sake don\'t start the tunnel thread

They could call it Red Tunnel or WightSink and keep their duopoly.

<hr width=100% size=1><A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.writeforweb.com/twister1>Let's Twist Again</A>

 

[castaway]

Re: Same things happen at Poole...

I was on the SBF one day 6 or 7 years back and we were the 1st car on right up the sharp end(!) And a guy in a Hobbie 16 was beating out against a strong fload.... He plainly didn't want to give up the distance he had made, and just crept ahead of the ferry. Trouble was that as soon as the ferry got down wind he developed a sever case of reverse wind shadow and stopped dead.

Anyway we all watched in horror (and great interest of course!) as he swilled down against the ramp.. whereupon the hobbie and skipper were sucked under the ramp and out of our grasp... we all ran to the other side (me and the crew) and plucked him from the water as he popped up again!

The Hobbie came up in bits and pieces, and was recovered by other craft who had gathered for the party...

Regards Nick

<hr width=100% size=1>

 

[EdEssery]

Re: Same things happen at Poole...

See <A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.dft.gov.uk/stellent/groups/dft_maritimesafety/documents/page/dft_masafety_504188.pdf>MAIB Investigation Report</A> for the Marine Accident Investigation Board report of the X Boat incident with the Sandbanks ferry - it comes complete with stills taken from a video of the incident. Beware the report is nearly 400K in size. I've seen the full video - the crew of the X boat were very lucky.

Ed

<hr width=100% size=1>