‘Severe damage’ to Sandbanks Ferry delays its return to 2023

The ferry that normally operates between Sandbanks and Studland has been badly damaged while being towed to Falmouth in Cornwall for planned maintenance.

The Sandbanks Ferry Company has announced that while the ferry arrived in Falmouth on Sunday 13th November 2022 for the planned refit, during the tow from Poole to Falmouth, the ferry “suffered severe damage to the southern end prow”.

Advertisement 
Sandbanks Ferry at night
Library image

The ferry left Poole on the evening of Friday 11th November 2022 to travel to Falmouth but arrived damaged

Damage will have a major impact on the return of the service

The ferry was taken out of service on Monday 31st October 2022 and had already been delayed from travelling to Falmouth by bad weather, so was already 11 days late.

It eventually left Poole Harbour on Friday 11th November 2022 during a break in the weather.

The ferry company says that the additional work to repair the damage will have a major impact on the completion date and will significantly delay the ferry’s return to service which is now anticipated to be in the new year.

Sandbanks Ferry closed sign

“Letter has been issued to the tug company holding them fully responsible”

Sandbanks Ferry Company managing director Jason duToit said:

“We apologise to all our customers for the inconvenience this will cause and share their expected frustrations.

“Although for legal reasons we are unable to go into any detail, we can confirm that today a letter has been issued to the tug company holding them fully responsible.”

The company says that the exact cause is currently under investigation and the findings will be released when they are available.

Christmas lights in Station Road 2020

Christmas lights in Station Road in Swanage

“It’s very sad news”

Local councillor and chair of Swanage Chamber of Trade Caroline Finch said:

“This will have a significant impact on our independent shops over the festive season – it’s very sad news.

“We have so many brilliant shops and cafes and lots of events planned over Christmas, so Swanage is still very worth visiting.

“I do hope people will still come and support us over the next few months and that the ferry is back in action as soon as possible!”

Shop window with Christmas display in Swanage
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021
Rotary Swanage Christmas Market 2021

Christmas in Swanage in 2021

Share this story

Contact us

Do you have anything to add to this story?

We like to keep everything up-to-date, so if you know more, please help us by getting in touch.

Advertisement 

Top stories

Special screening of Time Team to take place in Corfe Castle grounds Time Team’s investigation into the secrets of Wytch Farm will be shown in the famous television geodome at Corfe Castle in Dorset as part of the Festival of Archaeology 3 days ago Man in his 50s dies after climbing incident at Anvil Point 1 month ago Driver dies in car crash at Holton Heath 2 weeks ago New plans for Swanage seafront and Shore Road unveiled 2 months ago Memorial to boys killed on Swanage Beach unveiled 1 month ago

Most recent

Roll back in time at Swanage Railway’s steam rally The heritage steam rally for traction engines and steam locos at Norden in Dorset, will also include falconry displays and the Dorset Axemen for the first time in 2025 10 hours ago Swanage man receives award in King’s Birthday Honours 1 day ago Talking rubbish to help Swanage win war on waste 2 days ago Special screening of Time Team to take place in Corfe Castle grounds 3 days ago Midsummer murmurs at Square and Compass over future of Woodhenge 4 days ago