Damaged Sandbanks Ferry has arrived back in Poole Harbour for repairs to be completed, after undergoing scheduled maintenance in Falmouth in Cornwall.
The ferry which usually operates between Studland and Sandbanks was towed home on Tuesday 7th February 2023.
After a number of delays and mishaps, the ferry returns home nearly four months later, with a red bottom!
Pictured in Studland before travelling to Falmouth, the ferry’s hull was clearly painted a dark blue
Undergone a full repaint
Watching the ferry as it crossed Swanage Bay around 4 pm, onlookers noticed that it had undergone a full repaint while it was away. When it left in November 2022, the hull was painted blue but it’s now red.
The chain ferry service has been out of action since Monday 31st October 2022 when it was towed to Falmouth in Cornwall for scheduled maintenance.
Spotted as it was towed across Swanage Bay, the ferry is now a blush red
Damaged during sea journey
It was meant to be back by December 2022 but the southern end prow was damaged during the sea journey, which caused a delay to its return.
Initially it was thought that the new prows would be fitted in Falmouth but now the plan is to complete the repair work in Poole.
The new prow sections are unloaded from the cargo ship in Poole Harbour
Danica Violet arrived from Gdansk in Poland with the new parts for the ferry
Two new prow sections
The two new prow sections arrived on the cargo ship Danica Violet from Poland on Monday 6th February 2023.
Now with both the new parts and the ferry back in Poole, the repair work should be completed soon.
This will be followed by safety and operational checks and sea trials before the ferry with its smart new paintwork returns to service. This is anticipated to be by the end of February 2023.
Further information
- More about the Sandbanks Ferry and its return to service is on its website
More photos of the ferry’s homecoming
The Sandbanks Ferry towed passed Old Harry
The Bramble Bush Bay back home in Poole Harbour
