The Cowes Floating Bridge will undergo an annual inspection by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) from Monday (20th March), meaning the vessel will be out of action for 12 days.
All being well, is expected that the East Cowes to Cowes service will be suspended until Friday 31st March.
A replacement launch for foot passengers and cyclists will be operating during the suspension period.
During this time the Council will also undertake planned annual/bi-annual maintenance works. The schedule of maintenance works to be undertaken includes:
- Replacement of drive motor and hydraulics pump
- Inspection of Hydraulic System and Voids
- Lifting of all guidewheels and inspection/change out if required
- 2-year replacement of the Prow Cables
- Prow stress point Inspection and replacement of Prow hinge pins
- Installation of safety walkways in engine rooms
- Replacement of start-up batteries and wiper rocker switches
- Bilge float system service
- Overhaul of the touchscreen units to ensure that all software is up to date and fully functional
- Vessel cleaning/painting where applicable
- Chain Pit pump out/inspection
- Staff Training
When announcing the planned inspection in January, Councillor Phil Jordan, Cabinet member for Transport and Infrastructure said:
“The MCA’s visit is a very important time of the year for the Floating Bridge. The annual inspection ensures that we meet our obligations for operating a vessel in public service and while this takes place we will take the opportunity to carry out necessary planned remedial maintenance works.”
McBoatface returns! 10x faster loading time, here I come!
anyone have any idea how much this will cost, just curious.
Only £100,000
More bad driving on the isle of wight!
FOr christs sake sink this pile of garbage and build a bridge across the river that was suggested years ago. It should have been done and would have saved the council tax payer a huge amount of money. Daily crossings without hold ups 24 hours a day. Someone from the Isle of Wight Council please explain why it wasn’t and hasn’t been done.
Staff training…. lol.
Drivel – they are using the MCA inspection as cover for more faults that need repairing. How was it that the old floating bridge, which was still subject to annual MCA inspections was never out for 12 days. These lot are trying to pull the wool over everyones eyes.
Bit like island roads. They are all on the take
The ever reliable Floating Bridge will be out of service? I don’t believe it
They have missed one very point – Tow it out south of the Island and let the Royal Navy sink it. Sure MCA stamp of approval will be forthcoming for that.
What a heap 12 days ..staff training..ye you drive on..then you drive off there you go done.Oh thats only when it runs..
When Cllr Jordan speaks, just switch off .. less garbage then ..
Weren’t the hydraulics totally replaced about 6 months ago? Why the hell do they need replacing again? Enough is enough with this piece of junk. We should refuse to pay any more council tax until the cretins in the council start doing right by the island instead of themselves.
I have lived on the island for just shy of 26yrs and have had to endure this fiasco from day one, which is a worthless waste of taxpayers money and should have been destroyed before it’s bloody invention… Someone’s getting a good backhander here, I’d bet!!
Is there no-one in charge, with a flippin’ brain cell?
What about building two huge catapult’s one each side
Taking bets now that it won’t be done by the 29th as inevitably something else will go wrong
I’d be surprised if it was actually in service first
did it not have a huge inspection /maintenance1/2 year a go in falmouth..what a turd.
Wow surprised with that news
Monday 20 March. 0930hrs. Just driven Ryde to Cowes. Sign at at racecourse roundabout says bridge out for maintenance. Sign at Northwood says bridge operating normally. Does this mean one way traffic only? Council please advise urgently. Am confused.