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”.
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.
“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 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!”
Christmas in Swanage in 2021
