Cowes Floating Bridge

[ashtead]

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?

Vastly different -not a vanity project of the IWCC for a start.

 

[Stemar]

My guess would be properly designed ramps that allow an approach at a bit of an angle.

 

[neilf39]

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?

It has 10 times the distance and wider ramps. Cowes is very constrained so little room for any changes in attitude at each end. If they tighten the chains to compensate then they constrict the channel. The new ferry is just too big for the situation.

 

[mainsail1]

I have always thought they should let cars and trucks go the long way around and have a pedestrian/cycle tunnel in exactly the same place as the ferry is now.

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I have always thought they should let cars and trucks go the long way around and have a pedestrian/cycle tunnel in exactly the same place as the ferry is now.

We’re all quite used to driving round now, it’s so rarely working.? On the river, the pedestrian ferries are actually harder to predict than the chain ferry. They set off suddenly, with little warning. When you’re coming down with a spring ebb, it can all get interesting quite fast. The river is quite squeezed there, it’s the point where the tide runs fastest.

 

[burgundyben]

The new ferry is just too big for the situation.

Thats exactly what I think. Its too big, so it presents too big a restriction to the tide, especially the much faster ebb flow.

Its not fixable other than by cutting it into smaller chunks and re-assembling it smaller.

Pusher tugs and side thrusters is an entirely sh1t and unsustainable idea.

 

[penfold]

Someone obviously thought bigger = better, a trawl of council minutes would be illuminating.

 

[ashtead]

D

Thats exactly what I think. Its too big, so it presents too big a restriction to the tide, especially the much faster ebb flow.

Its not fixable other than by cutting it into smaller chunks and re-assembling it smaller.

Pusher tugs and side thrusters is an entirely sh1t and unsustainable idea.

I believe FB5 worked for years and was shorter so why did IWCC buy FB6 which is bigger? Will there ever be any transparency by way of full disclosure as to the tender process?

 

[Chiara’s slave]

A bigger boat carries more cars. Not everyone on the South Island is a seafarer, accustomed to thinking about the practicalities of manoeuvring in cross tides. I think it’s down to ineptness, not financial chicanery of any kind.

 

[Giblets]

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?

An awful lot of people still seem to think that power gives way to sail as far as the chain ferry is concerned!

 

[Chiara’s slave]

The poor ferry would wait forever in the summer

 

[penfold]

A bigger boat carries more cars. Not everyone on the South Island is a seafarer, accustomed to thinking about the practicalities of manoeuvring in cross tides. I think it’s down to ineptness, not financial chicanery of any kind.

That's fine; admit it, cut the barge down so it fits or buy a smaller one and everyone can get back to arguing about Wightlink prices and why there shouldn't be a tunnel.

 

[burgundyben]

D

I believe FB5 worked for years and was shorter so why did IWCC buy FB6 which is bigger? Will there ever be any transparency by way of full disclosure as to the tender process?

You said it further up, vanity project, had to be bigger and better, except of course it turned out to be bigger and sh1tter.

 

[R.Ems]

oof

 

[R.Ems]

No rules against nudity back in them days

 

[Chiara’s slave]

She’s not nude, she’s got her high heels on.

 

[penfold]

AIUI the masterminds that were in charge lost power and were replaced by another lot of masterminds; or are they sufficiently captured by their own comfort that actual verity isn't desirable?

 

[The Q]

An awful lot of people still seem to think that power gives way to sail as far as the chain ferry is concerned!

in some places they do..

Broads regulations
Ferries.
26 The master of a vessel operating as a ferry shall when crossing a waterway keep out of the way of any vessel navigating along the waterway.

Yes we have one chain ferry left at Reedham..

Something like a 27 mile trip (but almost an hour travelling time )to go round from one side to the other when it ain't working.

 

[Stemar]

I came into Poole Harbour on the Barfleur last night and was watching the chain ferry as we approached, thinking, "That thing may have priority, but if she goes now, it's going to end in tears". She didn't, but left as soon as we were out of the way. A bit of common sense works wonders. OTOH, I have wondered of a bunch of WAFIs isn't considered good sport, at Sandbanks and Cowes

 

[Chiara’s slave]

I’m sure I’m preaching to the converted here, but I think chain ferries are vessels of restricted manoeuvrability. Which means that they do not give way to sail. Though in Cowes, 98% of boats are motoring anyway. Especially us.