The ferry company that operates the currently suspended service between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset has issued an update saying the ferry is still awaiting its final inspection and certification before it can resume operation.
It had been hoped that the ferry service would restart by Friday 24th February 2023, following its return to Poole on Tuesday 7th February 2023 from Falmouth in Cornwall where it underwent planned maintenance.
The ferry service has not been working for months
Our of operation since end of October 2022
The Sandbanks Ferry has been out of operation since the end of October 2022, much longer than expected as the southern prow of the vessel was damaged while being towed on the journey from Poole to Falmouth.
With the maintenance work and the damage repaired the ferry has been reconnected to its chains at the mouth of Poole Harbour and has been undergoing sea trials.
The ferry company says it will be able to confirm on Monday 27th February 2023, the date that the service will resume.
Sandbanks Ferry back on its chains but still waiting for final approval to resume service
“Working as hard and fast as they can”
In a statement, the company said:
“We are awaiting our final inspection and certification to resume service. The whole team has been working as hard and fast as they can to ensure this happens.”
“We will announce our return to service time on Monday.”
The Sandbanks Ferry returning to Poole Harbour from Cornwall at the beginning of February 2023
Still red bottomed
On its arrival back from Cornwall, onlookers were surprised to spot that the hull of the Sandbanks Ferry had been painted red, instead of its usual blue.
It had been speculated that the red was just an undercoat but so far it has not been repainted.
