Cowes Floating Bridge

[oldbloke]

A quick bit of Wikipedia "research" says the first pontoon style ferry was in 1842. Chain ferries have been used there ever since. What have they done so that this one doesn't work properly.?. Its hardly cutting edge stuff

 

[Chiara’s slave]

All us residents wonder what went wrong, and how. It’s said that the spec for the thing was a poison chalice, maybe the size isnt feasible? No local firms even tendered, as far as I understand it, and its not like there aren’t any very competent yards.

 

[northwind]

Pleased to see the council providing such local employment opportunities but surely they would be better off creating their own push boat ferry service staffed by council staff? I guess this is not a sort term solution. One day I suppose they might consider a smaller ferry which might run without the boat pushing service.

But that would end up costing £1.2m for the same contract, oh and the council would likely end up supplying a couple of Avon redcrest dinghies, and oars, as that would be more environmental..

 

[ithet]

That tender looks a bit like a "going through the motions" exercise so that the council can show they have examined all options for their legal claim, or to demonstrate how unsatisfactory designed the current vessel is. Do they seriously expect to find a supplier and award a contract on the basis of a one tide trial?

 

[VicS]

A quick bit of Wikipedia "research" says the first pontoon style ferry was in 1842. Chain ferries have been used there ever since. What have they done so that this one doesn't work properly.?. Its hardly cutting edge stuff

The outer breakwater may be a factor, affecting the tidal flowrates. Nobody knows because there are no detailed historical data.

I suspect the Cowes Harbour Master's requirements regarding depth over the chains may be a major factor. The introduction of the new ferry gave the HM the opportunity to specify minimum depths over the chains, and to actually measure the depths with the aid of modern technology, where previously there was no restriction,
As a result the chains are much slacker than previously allowing the ferry to be set much further "off course". On a spring ebb this causes difficulty " docking " on the western side of the river.

The HM also appears to be making way for lager ships to use the river....... Perhaps he wants to get cruise liners up to the Folly

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Lager ships? I thought the folly had it’s deliveries by lorry like everywhere else.

 

[VicS]

Lager ships? I thought the folly had it’s deliveries by lorry like everywhere else.

I must learn not to post so early in the morning

 

[Boathook]

Lager ships? I thought the folly had it’s deliveries by lorry like everywhere else.

Maybe the Folly is expecting a few more to drink so shipping supplies in !

There are the docks on the west side where gravel, etc is unloaded. Are the ships delivering this getting bigger ?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Maybe the Folly is expecting a few more to drink so shipping supplies in !

There are the docks on the west side where gravel, etc is unloaded. Are the ships delivering this getting bigger ?

The gravel ships are plenty big enough thank you, when they decide to turn round just as you’re passing.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

Lager ships? I thought the folly had it’s deliveries by lorry like everywhere else.

All you need is a connection between the urinals and the bar to get lager. Recycling at its best!

 

[ashtead]

I know the Folly has a poor reputation as a watering hole but the lager isn’t surely that bad or are we talking about the food? Anyway a nice FB5 might be the answer surely with new engines as it had shorter chains I gathered so never heard of any sidewards drift issues in the 70s,80s,90s etc? Used to be free for foot passengers as well and you used to have Sally Water taxi as opposed to current indifferent alledged taxis service.

 

[AntarcticPilot]

I know the Folly has a poor reputation as a watering hole but the lager isn’t surely that bad or are we talking about the food? Anyway a nice FB5 might be the answer surely with new engines as it had shorter chains I gathered so never heard of any sidewards drift issues in the 70s,80s,90s etc? Used to be free for foot passengers as well and you used to have Sally Water taxi as opposed to current indifferent alledged taxis service.

I'm afraid I have a low opinion of lager. I did drink it in my early youth, but I realized the error of my ways quite soon. No comment about the Folly - I've never been there.

 

[ashtead]

I grew up sailing a centaur on the medina- the folly inn was a dodgy eatery in the 70s and I don’t believe the food at least has improved since so if you are ever that way keep on going to island harbour or just stay at east cowes marina and sample the delights of the lifeboat inn which isn’t special but adequate fare.

 

[penfold]

The outer breakwater may be a factor, affecting the tidal flowrates. Nobody knows because there are no detailed historical data.

I suspect the Cowes Harbour Master's requirements regarding depth over the chains may be a major factor. The introduction of the new ferry gave the HM the opportunity to specify minimum depths over the chains, and to actually measure the depths with the aid of modern technology, where previously there was no restriction,
As a result the chains are much slacker than previously allowing the ferry to be set much further "off course". On a spring ebb this causes difficulty " docking " on the western side of the river.

How does that make any difference at all, other than making life difficult for the ferry? If you're sniffing around the back of the ferry and hit the chain that should be your look out, not the ferry's and not the chain's, neither of which are under command. Once at either end the chain will be on the seabed. If the HM has interfered with chain tension they should un-interfere and return things to the state they were.

Why the new ferry wasn't just a straight copy of the old isn't obvious.

 

[Giblets]

Lager ships? I thought the folly had it’s deliveries by lorry like everywhere else.

Nah, it's them thar wind turbine blade thingies needing bigger ships.

 

[Daydream believer]

I have only ever been to Cowes by Yacht once (1979 we left just afterthe fastnet started) so do not have the pleasure of the ferry experience. I have not dared sail in the Solent since. However, due to restrictions on channel crossings, I may have to go there again next year.
So what happens when the ferry crosses the river? Does the chain on the pull side suddenly spring up out of the water like the starting gate at the Lingfield race track? Is there some sort of signal to tell you when it is going to happen? Do you then go behind it? Does the chain go slack, or does it stay tight if the ferry is in the middle & the tide is strong? Or do you stop completely & wait until it is berthed before you do anything & just sail in circles with loads of other yachts clashing in to each other? Then rush past for the first free marina berth, or the open pond ( in the case of the Solent) if going the other way.
How many times a day do you put up with this farce?
What is the procedure for avoiding a calamity- Other than not going there , of course

 

[Chiara’s slave]

Nah, it's them thar wind turbine blade thingies needing bigger ships.

They do hang the last 30 feet off the back of the boat!

procedure, it's much simpler and less stressful than you might think. It has an orange flashing light that starts about 20 seconds before it starts, but as you can see the cars on board and which way they are facing, whether they’re still loading or unloading, only the terminally stupid would be taken by surprise. It still happens of course?

 

[Stemar]

I grew up sailing a centaur on the medina- the folly inn was a dodgy eatery in the 70s and I don’t believe the food at least has improved since so if you are ever that way keep on going to island harbour or just stay at east cowes marina and sample the delights of the lifeboat inn which isn’t special but adequate fare.

We've had a few decent meals there over the years, including one a couple of weeks ago. OTOH, the Bargeman's Rest in Newport has definitely gone downhill - no more live music and probably the worst burger I've ever eaten last weekend.

 

[ashtead]

The one advantage of the new FB6 is it doesn’t run that often in summer months so you are unlikely to by having to cross the chains ,even at 2m draft we are carefully to keep well off the stern when traversing etc particularly at low tides etc. it’s less stressful though than say trying to exit the marina at Weymouth and waiting for road bridge to open .

 

[Barton Seagoon]

How does the Poole Harbour chain ferry cope with its very strong tide without needing a push boat? Is it really so much different from the Cowes chain ferry?