Poor design has been identified as a major issue by a government review of the Isle of Wight’s troubled Floating Bridge 6.
The review found parts of the vessel were ‘potentially poorly designed’ with ‘several apparent design inadequacies’.
Inspectors from the Cabinet Office acknowledged the vessel had experienced significant reliability problems since it first became operational in 2017 as they looked at whether the anticipated benefits of FB6 were being delivered.
The so-called Gateway Review was requested by the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership, who mainly funded the new ferry, after multiple breakdowns led to the vessel being out of service, sometimes for months on end.
The Isle of Wight Council yesterday (Wednesday) released the findings of the review that will help shape the future of the vessel.
A new, replacement vessel has not been ruled out by the Alliance administration, who took control of the failing vessel in May.
Government inspectors found successful service delivery ‘appears feasible’, with FB6, but ‘significant issues already exist’.
They awarded the vessel an ‘amber’ delivery confidence status — which is the middle award.
One of the key reasons, the council say, the status was not ‘green’ was because of the chain depth issue, which costs the council between £90,000 and £100,000 a year to remedy through a push boat holding it in place.
Due to the fast flow of the River Medina, the chain’s tension is ‘insufficient’ to hold the floating end of the vessel in position, tightening and lifting the chains to such a height that exceeds the maximum limit, creating a safety risk to river craft crossing them.
2 other main issues inspectors identified were due to the hydraulically operated prow ramps and drive system.
In the case of the prow ramps, the review team were told they were being overloaded and were ‘potentially poorly designed’ and said the ‘overall structural design of the prow was believed to be poor’.
The hydraulic drive system has broken down twice, the second time resulting from a complete failure of the drive motors, brakes and driveshaft, which were unable to be repaired and had to be replaced.
The team said they were made aware of several apparent design inadequacies directly leading to FB6 being forced out of service.
The council has welcomed the results of the review, which took place in November, and says it gives confidence that most of the right measures and management arrangements are in place to ensure FB6’s future operation.
The authority also says it is committed to delivering the ten actions set out in recommendations — 7 of which were deemed ‘essential’ and 1 ‘critical’ — including comprehensive reviews about the work done to date and an annual testing regime to check for fatigue cracking.
The cabinet will decide next week to undertake final assessments on whether FB6 is fit for purpose or seek a new vessel.
The Isle of Wight Council is also progressing legal mediation against the naval architects and shipbuilders, who designed and built Floating Bridge No.6, to recover some of the council’s losses.
It has been delayed, the council say, due to the discovery of more defects, following the latest breakdown, which adds significantly to the losses.
The mediation is set to begin in the week beginning 28th February.
Councillor Phil Jordan has since added:
“This latest report shows the amount of work that has been going on across many aspects of the floating bridge project but I am especially reassured by the results the independent review has highlighted.
“We now have the independent evidence which shows this project is moving in the right direction, even though we know there is still plenty of work left to do.
“Floating bridge users will be glad and reassured to see the independent review confirming that the key measures and management arrangements are sustainably in place to keep this vital service running.
“I am happy to accept, support, and confirm we will be carrying out the recommendations contained in the Gateway Five Review in the coming weeks and months.
“One of these recommendations is to undertake a financial analysis showing whether or not it is actually cost effective to keep the current vessel in operation as part of the consideration of any alternative crossing provision.
“Our next steps in the legal process may depend on the responses and commitments of the other parties in the dispute, but I am pleased and encouraged by the most recent news that we have a mediation date in the diaries.
“I am confident in saying that we remain committed to moving the process forward swiftly, to resolve the matter pragmatically and to obtain a fair outcome for all concerned, especially our Island residents far and wide.”
In the current climate the Council should never have commissioned an oil burner, not only for fuel useage, but also pollution in a populous district.
The short hops from side to side are ideal for recharging of a battery electric or flywheel system. Pollution free and clean, so kind to local residents.
Well I could have told them that – without all the palaver.