The chain link ferry which operates between Studland and Sandbanks in Dorset is to undergo a major refit, so won’t be operational for an estimated seven weeks over winter 2026.
The work, beginning on Monday 2nd November 2026, is part of a scheduled maintenance programme which happens every two years to ensure the safety and reliability of the crucial transport link between Purbeck and Bournemouth.
Commuters from Purbeck often rely on the ferry to get them to Bournemouth
Towed to Falmouth
The ferry’s last day of service before the refit will be Sunday 1st November 2026, with normal service operating hours on that date. The last ferry of the day will leave Shell Bay in Studland at 11.10 pm.
Then the plan is for the ferry to be towed to Poole Quay to begin refit works and it will then travel onto Falmouth in Cornwall to complete the maintenance.
The company says the ferry will be out of service for a total planned period of seven weeks, subject to weather and sea conditions.
The bus service number 50 between Swanage and Poole bus station will be re-routed via Wareham for the duration of the work
“Our team works exceptionally hard”
Sandbanks Ferry general manager Wayne Row said:
“Our refits are essential to ensure the ferry continues operating safely and reliably for all our passengers and staff.
“Our team works exceptionally hard to prepare for refit years. On-board maintenance is ongoing throughout the year, ensuring the ferry is in excellent working condition, day-to-day.
“The team makes any repairs that are possible to do while the ferry is on the water, while out-of-water refit works tackle more complex processes around long-term structural integrity and regulatory compliance.
“Parts for the refit are also ordered at least a year in advance, with sections and systems prefabricated, helping reduce the overall time the ferry needs to be out of service.
“We appreciate the ferry is part of the critical transport network for so many people across Dorset and understand that service disruptions can be difficult to plan around.
“We’re doing everything we can to ensure works are both thorough and efficient, so we can be back on the chains quickly. I’d like to thank our passengers in advance for their understanding.”
In November 2022 the ferry had to wait at Poole Quay for the weather in improve so it could be towed to Falmouth for its major refit
En route the prow was damaged which delayed the work
Eventually after 17 weeks the ferry was towed back into Poole Harbour, with its hull now red instead of blue
Last major refit resulted in extended delay
The Sandbanks Ferry alternates minor and major refit works every two years, with its last major refit taking place in 2022.
In 2022, the Sandbanks Ferry was meant to be out of service for six weeks but in the end was out of action for 17 weeks due to poor weather conditions and an incident as it was towed to Falmouth.
First the ferry was delayed from being towed from Poole Harbour to Falmouth in Cornwall for the scheduled refit work to take place, due to bad weather.
Then on its way to Falmouth, the southern prow of the vessel was severely damaged, meaning weeks more of delays while new parts were ordered from Poland and refitted.
The exact date for the Sandbanks Ferry’s return to service after these latest refit works will be announced in December 2026.
Further information
- More about the Sandbanks Ferry
