Cowes new floating bridge broken again ?
- Thread starter VicS
- Start date
bikedaft
Well-Known Member
Stagecoach tried a Dutch-built Amfibus on the Clyde a few years back, but nothing came of it. They wee thinking of using it (they said, may just have been a publicity stunt) as a replacement for the Renfrew - Yoker ferries, designed by Ian Nicolson, which had in turn replaced a chain ferry on the crossing.
https://www.theguardian.com/uk/2010/feb/08/water-bus-clyde-scotland-river
wished i had seen that, thanks for posting
Giblets
Well-Known Member
Perhaps we spoke too soon - looks like it's now grounded on the East Cowes side! Second time this week!
Not due to re-float until 19:30h this evening.
Not due to re-float until 19:30h this evening.
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colhel
Well-Known Member
We're waiting on the East side. I'll give a wave when I walk off 
Giblets
Well-Known Member
We're waiting on the East side. I'll give a wave when I walk off
I waved back! A fine pair of legs and a fetching titfer if I may say so!!! :encouragement:
colhel
Well-Known Member
Thanks, I do try!!
wizard
Well-Known Member
I waved back! A fine pair of legs and a fetching titfer if I may say so!!! :encouragement:
I think that you have far too much free time on your hands Gibby
VicS
Well-Known Member
Is it out of action again?
It looks very deserted at the moment although it does not seem to be aground.
Edit
Apparently it did run aground, but now on the move again.
It looks very deserted at the moment although it does not seem to be aground.
Edit
Apparently it did run aground, but now on the move again.
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Giblets
Well-Known Member
I've been watching the feed for a few weeks now and can't help thinking that the south chain appears to be too long as it seems to allow the vessel to be swept quite a way downstream during a strong ebb. They had some side chains fitted to the S chain a while ago on the western slip and they now seem to have one on the eastern side.
anoccasionalyachtsman
Well-Known Member
If they tightened them up quite a lot we wouldn't need the ferry.
VicS
Well-Known Member
Guess what
It's stuck again today. !
It's stuck again today. !
lpdsn
Well-Known Member
With the amount of time it spends aground, maybe it should be renamed.
JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
How do you know it's stuck and not just waiting, maybe for some repairs or adjustments? Serious question, no snark intended.
VicS
Well-Known Member
I was actually watching . They were having difficulty getting onto the East Cowes slip way due to the amount the ebb tide had set them off track.
This is how it ended up. "port" bow on what appears to be a bit of a mud bank, starboard bow just on the slipway sufficiently to allow the vehicles to drive off.
There it stayed from about 1430 ish until nearly 2030 when it refloated and resumed operation.
Almost exactly the same as happened yesterday (See #23)
I was watching because they also have trouble on the Cowes side on the ebb. It is set off track so much that hits the orange fender square on when the tide is a little higher than pictured. Then because it has no means of moving sideways it gets no further.
This picture was captured a few days ago when it grounded on the Cowes side of the river
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sarabande
Well-Known Member
Is it bigger than the previous bridge, and with a deeper draught ?
VicS
Well-Known Member
Yes it is bigger According to wikipedia twice the capacity.
bikedaft
Well-Known Member
can they haul on the chains independantly? ie to "steer" a bit? i'm hoping they can...
a long time ago i was on the chain ferry at Renfrew. don't remember it having so many foul ups? what's wrong with the design?
a long time ago i was on the chain ferry at Renfrew. don't remember it having so many foul ups? what's wrong with the design?
VicS
Well-Known Member
Yes they appear to be able to but its not an effective method of steering it when there is a 4 knot cross tide.
Locals are saying the chains are too slack but that is something I am not qualified to comment on
Watch the webcam around 1600 to 1800hrs tomorrow (Monday) and you will probably see the problems.
What is wrong with the design ???....... listing what is right might be easier !
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JumbleDuck
Well-Known Member
Many thanks. Clearly more than an operational/commissioning peculiarity, and I shall have to watch today's performance as you suggest.
Giblets
Well-Known Member
What staggers me is that the Island council stated on Saturday that the groundings were expected and part of the commissioning process!