Floating bridge ... again

That picture - unless it's distorted - seems to show that it is impossible to get past the thing if it is moored in midstream. Surely not?
 
That picture - unless it's distorted - seems to show that it is impossible to get past the thing if it is moored in midstream. Surely not?

How long before a rib or something gets its bottom torn out and all occupants drowned? Whose liability?

Colregs lights ?

Restricted vessel at anchor ? Red over white over red over white ?


Or two reds ? :)

Cripes - what if you want to enter or leave the harbour at night?

It is moored off the west slipway at night , not in midstream. It is not as far out as the picture suggests....
It is lit. It is also manned and can be moved if necessary at relatively short notice.

Details are all published by the Cowes Harbour Commission. ........ it's not a secret............. the previous one had been in service for 40 years and others before that since the middle of the 19th century

If you want to zoom up the Medina in your rib in the middle of the night give the crew a call on the VHF and they will be only to happy to move it out of your way .
 
The chains are really starting to concern me. I am not sure I will go back up the Medina river, past the chain ferry ever again for fear of hitting them.

Big ships go up and down the Medina

Did not see it in time for a screen grab but this one went past the chain ferry earlier this evening: https://photos.marinetraffic.com/ais/showphoto.aspx?photoid=167892

and this one a couple of days ago: https://photos.marinetraffic.com/ais/showphoto.aspx?photoid=2637894&size=

This one is at Medina Wharf now : https://photos.marinetraffic.com/ais/showphoto.aspx?photoid=2644296
 
Try the Reedham ferry across the River Yare in Norfolk. It's the only crossing point between Norwich and Great Yarmouth. It carries 2 cars, travels half the distance of the Cowes Ferry, and costs £4.30 a trip!! But does save a 40 minute drive in either direction. Funnily enough, I do find myself needing to get from Reedham to Somerleyton several times a year and it still works out cheaper than driving the long way round in time and fuel!
http://www.reedhamferry.co.uk/chain-ferry/
 
There's another LNTM on the Cowes Harbour Commission website. The clearance is now given as height of tide plus one metre, at mid-ebb spring tide. it seems that is when the ferry is pushed a long way north, raising the chain. That would have meant about four metres clearance at the recent spring tide.
 
It's out of action again!

Trouble with one of the ramps apparently.

lots of racy looking yachts going up the river this afternoon. There must be some "sailing event" on this weekend :)
 
Last edited:
I have to get Mrs Colhel to Cowes tomorrow from East Cowes by 5.45 am.
Would you;
(A) drive 10 miles
(B) take the tender
(C) take the launch/ chain ferry.

Probably drive.

Dunno where you would cross in the tender but by that time tomorrow morning the river will be pretty busy with stuff going out to the RTIR

Unless they actually get it running this evening I don't reckon you can rely on the chain ferry. When its not running the launch service does not normally start until 0600 on a Saturday

Floating bridge office tel number is (01983) 293041
 
Yep that's the plan. Too much anxiety with B&C :D

I think they have probably sorted the chain ferry

It's now sitting out its scheduled 2 hour ante LW suspension but looks as though it's waiting to resume operation as planned at 2220.

BTW they reinstate the charges on Monday

If they ever get it running properly I will have to start watching TV again
 
Last edited:
This payment to host on Photobucket is absolutely ridiculous. £300 .... what planet are these people on? :ambivalence:

Welcome to Dropbox everyone!

Richard

going to give Tinypic a try

152dlrk.jpg
 
I think they have probably sorted the chain ferry

It's now sitting out its scheduled 2 hour ante LW suspension but looks as though it's waiting to resume operation as planned at 2220.

BTW they reinstate the charges on Monday

If they ever get it running properly I will have to start watching TV again


But it didnt ... now in drive thru mode

2qxubv4.jpg
 
Top