The Cowes Floating Bridge service has been suspended once again this morning (Tuesday).
The troubled vessel is currently unable to operate between East Cowes and Cowes, although the Council have given no reason for the suspension of service.
A foot passenger launch service is currently in operation from the usual location.
It is unknown when the Floating Bridge will be operational again.
UPDATE @ 08:56 – It has been confirmed that the Floating Bridge has been taken out of service due to a hydraulic oil leak on the north west prow.
This photograph, which was sent to Island Echo on Thursday, clearly shows a leak from the prow ram.
Material has evidently been used to soak up the leak to allow the vessel to continue throughout the Festival period.
UPDATE @ 15:32 – The Cowes Floating Bridge is now back in service following repair work.
I noticed yesterday that they had oil absorbent pillows under one of the hydraulic rams and by the end of the day were making foot passengers board via the vehicle part of the prow. I guess a hydraulics leak. They have already changed all the rams once.
The whole prow system is badly designed and seriously under engineered,
So festival high revenue stream is over then.
Stuff the locals.
Well what can we expect it did run over the festival time!! It’s probably worn out!!! Time to retire it and get something that will work better.
Like a bridge. That would work better
“Like a bridge. That would work better”,.. are you sure ? if the IW council are involved it’ll probably be made of string & cardboard but cost as much as if it was made of solid gold!
But a string and cardboard bridge would be better than FB6 wouldn’t it ? The council would go for that…They’ll save shed loads.
Typical !!!!
Time for Floating Bridge No. 7 ?
Now, I’m no expert, but wouldn’t a swing bridge, like the one at Yarmouth, be a better solution than a fixed bridge. With a fixed bridge, the height that it would need to be to accomodate the yachts masts passing underneath, would mean the slope would have to start a long way back from the River Medina on both sides.
A swing bridge could be in the open position for road users and pedestrians, and then ‘swung’ at certain times to allow for passing vessels.
If it was timetabled as far as possible, then both road users and water borne vessels would know when the bridge would be ‘in their favour’
Just a thought…