Upward-only rent reviews more generally and the frankly feudal nature of landlord-tenant law. *Shakes head*.

Mark

 

The ferry is reported to be under threat and there's a petition to save it - at 38 degrees
https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/save-the-glenelg-skye-ferry

Friends will know how very, very rarely I sign petitions but I have signed this one and I encourage other to do so.  I have very fond memories of this ferry - "romantic" isn't quite the word; making use of it what must have been around 50 years ago in a long hot summer around 1976, with my grandmother - Gran - who would have been 133 years old today (we made a strange touring couple).

"Over the sea to Skye" has changed with the opening of the bridge near Kyle of Lochalsh, with the ferry there closing and the other ferry routes at Mallaig to Armadale and Glenelg to Kylerhea becoming less significant in terms of connectivity.  The Glenelg ferry is indeed seasonal (was it always?) and I would not like to see a top-weight HGV on it; very much a tourist thing these days as I suspect that the local traffic between residents on both sides of the kyles is minimal.  A very, very long way around if it's not running.  Having said that, the trade and business it brings them is surely significant - important - as is noted by the somewhat overegged talk about the numbers of staff employed on the ferry and at the tearooms.

A petition that vilifies an individual in the way this one does concerns me slightly, and part of me suspects that the bloke probably isn't going to be minded to take actions that eliminate his annual income unless he has other intents - so I partly suspect the petition might be something of a negotiating ploy.  But then I also wonder if the income isn't a significant income to him, and it's more trouble than it's worth.   What price the overrunning of this quiet "Ring of Bright Water" land?  I can't see the area as being ripe for new housing or other development ... but you never know. Anyway - signed though with some concerns; the petition also provides wonderful publicity for the ferry and its operators and may bolster their business so they can afford the fees even if they stay on current terms.

 

We'um all frenley in Asum.  Specially if ee loikes beeauns n plumz

 

I was on that ferry this July.  The ferryman doubled up a the general maintenance man for the surrounding grounds (he has been doing some mowing when I arrived on the far bank).
He used a winch to raise the cable/chain from the river bed then hand pulled the ferry over  to pick me up....£1 per person.  I was the only passenger at the time but he told me he'd been quite busy with groups of walkers that day. Friendly chap too.

 
The (extinct) Hampton Loade ferry has come to mind somehow.

Mark


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hampton_Loade_Ferry

 
The Evesham to Hampton ferry is rope worked

 

I don't think this one is a public ferry.  Only used for private access to the residential properties on Trowlock Island.

 

Wikipedia, and the bloke doing the winding, both say it's a chain ferry.

 

?   Isn't there a chain - or is it a rope - ferry across the river in Evesham, and rope ferries at the Weymouth Boating club (or whatever it's called) by the lifeboat station out to the moorings that aren't connected to the shore?

 
Another? Trowlock Island on the Thames has a user-operated chain ferry.

Mark

https://www.geograph.org.uk/photo/597000

 
On the way home from Yorkshire I stopped off in Shakespeare town. Took a ride on a passenger ferry that I don't think has yet been mentioned in this thread.

The only manually operated public chain ferry in the UK.

 
Please don't mention Guard's Vans - you'll set Broadgage off again. 

 
All newer than the last one I sailed on - Mallaig-Armadale 1980 with motorbike slung onboard by a crane. Undergraduate field trip to Arran. The bike went on the train in the guard’s van at half fare with Student Railcard discount. Good memories.

 
https://stmichaelsmount.co.uk/news/the-st-michael-is-unveiled/

Mostly used for staff runs, rather than public usage.

 
I don't suppose Stornoway harbour looks that calm on many days!

 

That's hwicked, sweet, awesome.

 
And there is a button expressly for the purpose so I've pressed it Jay

 
I've just learnt of another ferry service in the UK thanks to a YouTube channel I subscribe to - Auto Shenanigans. Which incidentally is a great channel if you want to learn quirky facts about the motorways and roads of the UK. Just the right balance of nerdiness and humour I enjoy. The channel features occasional diversions such as this video about an amphibious ferry that crosses the mouth of the River Towy in south west Wales, between Ferryside and Llansteffan.



And the amphibious ferry's website.
https://www.carmarthenbayferries.co.uk/

 
Could this be the start of a lucrative Youtube career for the ubiquitous Finn ?

 
The current bridge has proved so unreliable there are now electronic road signs on the outskirts of the town advising whether it is in operation or not.  This has saved council staff going out with A-boards everytime the service is suspended.

 
The Cowes chain ferry has always been known as the Floating Bridge.

The first vessel began service in 1859. Commissioned by the Floating Bridge Company. That company was later purchased by The Isle of Wight Steam Packet Company (today's Red Funnel) who commissioned the second and third vessels in 1882 and 1896.

In 1909 the ferry service was taken over by the local authorities West & East Cowes Urban Councils, passing to successor authorities, Medina Borough Council in 1974, and Isle of Wight Council in 1995.

There have been six vessels under local authority ownership. 'Named' Bridge No.1 to Bridge No.6. The latest, Bridge No.6, entered service in 2017 but, after a catalogue of faults, groundings, and failures, it was announced in March 2024 that it would be replaced.

When Bridge No.6 was due to enter service, Isle of Wight Council sought suggestions from residents to give it a proper name. A petition for Floaty McFloatface garnered over 2,000 signatures. The naming competition was postponed by local elections in 2017 and was never restarted after problems with the vessel started becoming apparent. The vessel remains Bridge No.6. A bridge too far?

 

So that's like a transporter bridge on the water and not suspended above it?

 
How does Finn cope with all that intake?   

 
That was in between a trip on an open top bus, a visit to a distillery, a pub - oh and a coffee!

One plus point.  The burger in the distillery pub didn’t come in the ubiquitous brioche bun.

 
Finn and I had a couple of rides on this one last week. It was actually working for a change. Fighting a very strong current on the River Medina, I hadn't realised the chain ferry had side thrusters to help with lining up with the slipways against tidal flows.



Edit. The video thumbnail was chosen by YouTube. A little disconcerting that the AI and algorithms chose him without prompt. Should I be worried about Finn's personal data?!

 
Now done. 

Whenever possible, I've preserved the original topic headings here, for clarity and context.

I hope, as ever, that this helps.

CfN 

 

I give in: I'm merging them all into one hopefully definitive 'ferries' topic. 

 
In the Domesday Book two ferries were recorded crossing here, and for much of the time since there were several ferries crossing. Gravesend Town Council bought the ferry rights in the 1600s and the commander of the fort at Tilbury also managed to gain ferry rights, so until the 19th century two ferries crossed here, one run from each bank. There was a vehicle ferry crossing until 1964 and various proposals for a tunnel to be built from the early 19th century onwards, but this was always considered to be too expensive.

It is a real tragedy that this crossing has now closed. Let's hope funding can be found to get it reinstated soon.

 


It's gone - and businesses are hurting, let alone (no doubt) the people who made the 100,000 journeys per year

https://www.kentonline.co.uk/gravesend/news/struggling-business-owners-call-for-ferry-s-return-305903/

https://www.essexlive.news/news/essex-news/jetstream-ferry-sail-between-gravesend-9197556

 
Ouch, that's going to hurt.

Mark

 
Add to this list the Gravesend to Tilbury Foot & cycle ferry across the Thames. Last service March 31st. Thurrock Council pulled their support & Kent couldn't afford it on their own.

https://www.jetstreamtours.com/about-us/news

 
There are a couple of survivors on the Manchester Ship Canal where the free foot ferry (bankrolled by Peel Ports - the canal owner) proved access between public footpaths that were bisected on its construction in the 1890s.

Mods: this (and maybe some above) may be better placed in the foot ferry thread.

 
Very much East Anglia orientated

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-68428422

but I do wonder about the smaller ferries. Is the limit for MCA inspections 12 persons, which would put the Haying ferry at risk? Not sure what the capacity on the Hamble and Itchenor ferries. The Gosport ferry only runs one boat on weekends now.

I get the impression that the Shepperton ferry, on the Thames, is largely a one man band. This is the most upstream ferry, so all the foot ferries in Berkshire and Oxfordshire have presumably (long?) gone. Have not been on other small Thames ferries.

Hammertons near Richmond only operates 10:00 - 18:00 so was never into the commuter market. Hampton ferry is only seasonal.

How is the situation further west coastal?

 
A curious way to close the article. If you need to cross water and there's no bridge or tunnel, and you're not prepared to swim, you're going to need a ferry. (Also, gauging the need for a ferry or bridge from the number of people swimming the river... not the best approach to the issue, that...)

Mark

'So what is the future for ferries like Mr Zemann's?

"There's an endless [list of] ferries which have closed," he says.

And yet there is something "old school" about foot ferries, he says, like vinyl records or artisanal goods that might just be in their favour.

Being on the water, he says, gives people a completely different and memorable experience of a place - the type of "cool" mentioned by teacher Mr Hunt.

"I really think these things will come back again," Mr Zemann says. "But I think with a bit of clever marketing loads more ferries could work.

"I don't think it has to be the end."'[/list]

 
A story from East Anglia, https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-68428422


One wonders at the regulation and control systems that allow the DfT to maintain statistics like this.

 

This is the Kylerhea to Glenelg ferry, which I also have fond memories of. The location is stunning, high mountains all around and much wildlife in the turbulent waters. The ferry operation is extraordinary to watch as they turn the turntable around in midstream.

To reach it involves climbing over 1,000 feet up narrow mountain passes on both sides. I cycled this route and it was wonderful, as was the b&b in Glenelg which had one of the most helpful landladies I have ever met. From Glenelg there is a 10 mile dead-end road down the loch (well definitely up and down and running roughly parallel with the loch), which reaches a tiny hamlet in the middle of nowhere, where red deer graze on the beach and the very last terraced house does teas. At one point this road crosses a large scree slope on a 3,000 feet mountainside. Absolutely beautiful and remote.

 
Marazion & St. Michael’s Mount

 

The Salcombe-East Portsmouth ferry is all year round but there are seasonal ferries for Salcombe-Kingsbridge and Salcombe-South Sands (with it amphibious landing stage).
Would the Bigbury on Sea - Burgh Island sea tractor count?  It's all year round I believe.  I think that there's still a seasonal ferry at nearby Bantham too.

 
If you have got as far as Eastney-Hayling I would add the Itchenor ferry. Nice pub at Itchenor on the road down to the ferry, and check the tides if you want to cycle/walk to Bosham the other side, the road can be flooded at high tide.

 

You missed out Bryan!

Torpoint Ferry is more correctly called a floating bridge...........and is called quite a few other things by locals when one or more of them break down or aren't running!

 

More correctly, Torpoint.

Then there's Lymington-Yarmouth, Southampton-East/West Cowes, Portsmouth-Ryde Pier, Southsea-Ryde, Portsmouth-Fishbourne, Southampton-Hythe, Eastney-Hayling, Hamble-Warsash, Portsmouth-Gosport, Starcross-Exmouth, Teignmouth-Shaldon, Salcombe-East Portlemouth, Plymouth-Mount Batten, Admirals Hard Plymouth-Cremyll, Polruan-Fowey, St Mawes-Place Creek, St Mawes-Falmouth, Falmouth-Ponsharden, Helford Passage-Helford Village, Penzance-St Mary's, Padstow-Rock, Bideford-Lundy, Appledore-Instow, Ilfracombe-Lundy...

That'll do. Pretty much every non-international/crown dependency ferry service on the south west peninsula. Dart crossings already mentioned.

 

There's the higher and lower River Dart ferries in Dartmouth.....I won't  include the numerous foot passenger ferries In the region as I'm assuming it's vehicle ferries that we are talking about here.

 
And there was one across Loch Leven - http://www.ballachulish.org/see-do/ballachulish-ferry-and-bridge/

 
The Kylesku to Kylestrome one features strong in my memory on a university field trip to the Assynt region in 1979. Other ferries well used include the Windermere chain ferry from Bowness to Hawkshead in the Lake District and that from the Kyle of Lochalsh to Skye (now a bridge).

 
From The BBC


I have fond memories of using this ferry ... and others at Corran (now a larger boat) and from Kylesku to Kylestrome (now a bridge). We have a handful of ferries in the south west ... Sandbanks, Weymouth harbour, Tamar, Plymouth to France and Spain,  .. and I'm going to leave it at that for others to come in and add to the list. 

 
The two chain ferries I am familiar with, Torpoint and Cowes, as far as I know, rely on the chain dropping down behind the ferry so other vessels can pass. As a result, they are diesel powered on board (one I think with electric transmission and one with hydraulic), rather than from a motor on shore. I imagine it would be possible to use batteries or some form of battery/mains hybrid, but mains only operation seems non-viable.

 
The idea of overhead electrification for a ferry sounds...well...implausible...BUT:-

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_boat#Wired_electric_boats

and a brief video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6JjIpbso29s

Applied to canals: https://www.lowtechmagazine.com/2009/12/trolley-canal-boats.html

 
I agree, but electric ferries should produce a lot less noise than diesel powered ships.

 

Yes, this is obviously true, but there will be many other impacts. Perhaps most importantly will be noise pollution that affects many maritime creatures ability to navigate.

 
Yes I believe that electric ferries would be suitable for the shorter channel crossings.
When ships are considered, bigger is better, within reason. A larger ship uses less fuel per ton than a smaller one.
A cross channel ferry could charge, briefly at each end of the route, both the UK and nearer parts of Europe have well developed grid systems that can supply the charging load of many megawatts.

Some routes to small islands may only allow charging at the mainland end, due to limited electrical infrastructure on some islands.

 
Good. A lot about the size of the ferries, though it would be good to know the maximum range they can cope with. Would the range be suitable for a short Channel crossing, for instance?

 
Whilst we on a Norwegian cruise last year, our guide pointed out an all electric (Norwegian) car and passenger ferry.
https://electrek.co/2019/08/21/worlds-largest-electric-ferry/
Whilst fjord crossings are of limited distance, they could be used here in the UK for many crossing routes

 
For very short crossings, there is a lot be said for chain ferries, since they may be hauled by relatively clean and green electric power rather than by diesel engines.
For slightly longer routes, battery power is now available.

In my view, existing diesel power powered ferries should continue in service for their economic lives, perhaps being re-deployed on other routes.

Newly built ferries should be electric, unless there is some compelling reason to do otherwise.

 
Thats good news, and nice to hear.

 
On a very local level, the cross-harbour ferries from Hannover Quay to the SS GB in Bristol have recently restarted.

 
I think its been in use about 4 years. however its not very reliable. Last time I was there at the end of 2018. The hinge on the West Cowes end ramp had snapped. Its not the sort of thing Screwfix keep in stock.

On an earlier visit the new ferry had just been put into use but was having some work done the day I was there.

So I have only got to use it once and then there was a hold up. It was high tide and someone discovered that the front of his Aston Martin hit the road when unloading in East Cowes. Much to the amusment of the locals queuing to board.

 
Isle of Wight (Cowes) chain ferry is out of operation:
https://www.iwfloatingbridge.co.uk/update-on-cowes-floating-bridge-essential-works-required/
How long have they had this new ferry?

 
From On the Wight

A well written explanation which - although this is a ferry - could be applied to buses and trains too.

 
From the Isle of Scilly Steamship website, I gather freight goes on the Gry M; whilst essential passenger travel still goes by air.
Also wonder if it's the way of keeping pilots hours up.

 
The Sandbanks ferry has also stopped.

From BBC on 20th April

 
One morning last week I watched 2 flights on FlightRadar24 leave Isles of Scilly for Lands End about 10 minutes apart. I looked to see if that was normal but the Isles of Scilly Travel website is not currently displaying timetables.

 
Heard the occasional aircraft fly over to/from LEQ/Landsend airport, mostly enroute to the Scillies.
I had assumed that the type of aircraft they utilised had to be 'run up' and fly so many hours hours a month; plus keeping their MoT (do they have MoT?) up to date.
Fully aware the jumbo's need services at -so-many-hours- so guess the smaller ones also require a similar service.
Also aware pilots need to perform so many hours a month flying, and would that apply to the Scillies craft?

Whilst the Scillonian and Mali Rose are laid up, the Gry Maritha is taking freight from Penzance.
Of course, the all three would have been working flat out for the past few months as the World Pilot Gig rowing championships would be next week (1st-3rd May).  There would be no accommodation to be had on the Scillies anywhere!

Plus of course, this year the newly reformed Tresco helicopters would have been flying to Tresco and St Marys.
I understand they were having to use a smaller helicopter as their new 16 seater was stuck in China under the Chinese lockdown.
However, they ceased operations within a few weeks of opening in March.

 
The government is giving a hand to the ferries
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/emergency-fund-of-up-to-105-million-to-support-lifeline-transport-links-to-the-isle-of-wight-and-the-isles-of-scilly

Also announced, BBC Live

 
I expect SWR are probably reporting about the Lymington to Yarmouth and the passenger service from Portsmouth Harbour to Ryde, But as of today the Wightlink site still has the Portsmouth to Fishbourne ferry operating two hourly.

Paul

 
Portsmouth to the island stopped now too, from SWR journey check.

Please be aware that the Wight Link ferries between Portsmouth / Lymington and the Isle of Wight have been suspended until further notice. 

 

No ferry services?  Reckon there would be a shortage of Food and Toilet Rolls very soon
[/quote]

Where's broadgage when you want him.. 

 

No ferry services?  Reckon there would be a shortage of Food and Toilet Rolls very soon

 
The government has suspended competition rules for the Isle of Wight ferry operators
https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-to-suspend-competition-law-to-support-isle-of-wight-ferry-routes
This is primarily to keep essential goods flowing, and allow access to mainland health services.

At about the same time Wightlink has suspended the Lymington - Yarmouth ferry https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-52071468

Some islanders want all ferry services suspended to protect them from the virus.

 
There must be numerous small ones, particularly those of pedestrians such as that at Christchurch. The definition of small appears here to be crossing a river or estuary where there is an alternative land route. Looking at the lists that have been identified, there are significant ones that are unlikely to fail, mainly those for vehicles. To the lists above I might add the Woolwich ferry, one that I know well, and of course the Ferry cross the Mersey!

Smaller ones like the Weymouth ferry are really not essential, but if it keeps someone occupied with very little overheads then good.

 
A few more lesser known ones:
Instow to Appledore (Torridge Estuary)
Gillan to St Anthony (Gillan Creek)
Helford River
St Mawes to Place Creek
Plymouth Sutton Harbour to Mount Batten Park
Wembury Point to Newton Ferrers and Noss Mayo (River Yealm)
Shaldon to Teignmouth (River Teign) (This is England's longest-running passenger ferry, with written records of the ferry dating back to 1296)
Turf/Topsham (River Exe)
Weymouth Harbour

 
Depending how far back you want to go, there are loads of places where the road layout indicates there must have been a small ferry at one point. For instance this one, also not far from Tewkesbury. No idea when it last ran:
https://www.streetmap.co.uk/idld.srf?X=390672&Y=236601&A=Y&Z=120&lm=1

 
Lower Lode ferry, just outside Tewkesbury: https://www.tewkesbury.town/tewkesbury-ferry-lower-lode/index.htm

Just to note Bristol Harbour has two regular ferry services: one runs up and down the river and harbour, while the other runs across the harbour more or less opposite the SS Great Britain.

 
add - Exmouth to Starcross and Topsham to Exminster Marshes. When I last used the latter, we had to wait because the ferryman suspended the service to rescue a yacht that had broken free from its mooring and was drifting down river!

 
I searched for a photograph for East Looe to West Looe but couldn't find one......

If you do find one, please, please don't post it here

 



Sorry - couldn't resist.  Thank you to the Pioneer Woman for making this image available

 
East Cowes to West Cowes

 
in ex GWR territory.

The Symonds Yat ferry which swings acroos the Wye on a cable using the current. Carbon free!

Aren't there a coiuple of ferries near Severn Valley stations?

 
Some more to add:
Polruan Pedestrian Ferry
Bodinnick Car Ferry (Looe to Fowey)
East Looe to West Looe
Cawsand (Plymouth)

 
Perhaps some of these are slightly larger ... but in our area, I also think of

Dartmouth to Kingswear
Southampton to Hythe
Portsmouth Harbour to Gosport
Falmouth to St Mawes
Padstow to Rock
Bristol Harbour
Weymouth Harbour
Sandbanks
Cremyll Ferry
Torpoint Ferry
Penzance to Scillies
Ferry to Lundy

 
I am wondering how small local ferry services are going to survive Covid-19.

Hayling ferry – Suspended      https://www.haylingferry.net/
Itchenor ferry – season starts April   https://www.itchenorferry.co.uk/
Hamble ferry – Suspended      https://www.hambleferry.co.uk/
Keyhaven – Hurst Castle ferry – Closed   https://www.hurstcastle.co.uk/ferry-ride/
Mudeford ferry – Closed      http://www.mudefordferry.co.uk/
Shepperton ferry         https://www.nauticalia-marine-services.co.uk/shepperton-weybridge-pedestrian-ferry/
Hammertons ferry – Suspended      http://www.hammertonsferry.com/
Hampton ferry – Suspended      http://www.hamptonferryboathouse.co.uk/

Which are the ferries in the area I normally travel round. Most tend to be small family-type businesses (Hayling ferry now owned by a slightly larger marine services company) which provide useful links for the local community and help the local tourist trade (which will reappear eventually). Possibly fall in the gaps between the Chancellor's schemes.

If you are interested in other ferries I believe a comprehensive listing can be found at:
   https://charlesclosesociety.org/ferries
I think some of these were probably collated when the Hayling Ferry was insolvent.

 
Excellent news IMHO, electric power is the future and should be used wherever suitable.

I suspect that we will see an electric cross channel ferry within 10 years. Electricity is often used very wastefully on board ship and a limited supply from a battery might lead to more prudent use.

One caveat with electric ferries is the very substantial electrical input required to charge them in a reasonable time, more so if fast charging is contemplated.
With a ferry that runs between say England and France, fast charging at either end of the route should be easily achieved. If however a ferry runs between a small island and a mainland, then the island might not have sufficient electricity available for charging the ferry.
A larger battery that can complete the round trip is then required.

 
Don't think they will be suitable replacements for our unreliable chain ferries.

 
Here's something that explains how the magic is done - from electrive.com:

So this may - perhaps - be the near future of 4 km crossings, but longer may take a bit longer.

 
This video on the 'Fully Charged' channel drew my attention to what turns out to be a fairly old piece of news, but hopefully interesting nonetheless:

 
Only took him just over a month. 

 
Q.  What's brown and steaming out of cows?

A.  The Isle of Wight ferry.



Oh, how we miss those pier end comedians. 

 
https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-45932147

 
I used the Glenelg ferry when I cycled around the Scottish coast in 2005, and it was one of the highlights of that trip. It is the original ferry route to Skye, and its location is quite stunning. On both sides, it can only be reached by small lanes that climb over passes above 1,000 feet high, and on the mainland side in particular, the route up is especially steep. When you are down at the ferry and look all around you, you realise just how cut off that area is from the rest of Britain, hemmed in by mountains on all sides. Habitation is very sparse, though there is a small community at Glenelg, two miles from the ferry slip, and one of Britain's most isolated communities can be found at the end of the dead-end lane that runs from Glenelg south, at Arnisdale and Corran on Loch Hourn.

The narrows that the ferry crosses are subject to strong tides and strong winds, so can be challenging to operate. They also cross an area of sea that teams with wildlife, and when I crossed it was wonderful to watch the many seals that followed the ferry as it crossed, undoubtedly attracted by the fish it was dragging up.

The operation of the ferry is something to behold. When I was there, the operator would walk round the turntable on the outside of the safety railing as it turned while the boat was crossing. I would imagine Elf and Safety would not have been happy with this, but their eyes would have been transfixed by the views all around and the feel of the wind and smell of the sea, which made the crossing quite magical.

 
The simple answer to Graham's question is no, there haven't been any. The Aust ferry comes closest, but was a different operating system.

I would put a slight caveat on the 'no', in that historic records of ferries are not comprehensive and it is not always clear precisely what operating system any boat used, but I'm pretty certain none have ever operated in this area.

Most other vehicle carrying estuary ferries, both existing ones like King Harry in Cornwall or at Sandbanks in Dorset, and ones that stopped running during the 20th century, like the Arlingham to Newnham ferry across the Severn in Gloucestershire, are or were chain operated and allowed vehicles to enter at one end and drive off at the other. The few island ferries we have, such as to the Scillies, were drive on and off ships large enough for vehicles to manoeuvre within the vessel.

Manually operated turntable ferries seem to have been a Scottish speciality, used mostly to cross narrow lochs. AFAIK the Glenelg ferry was the only sea crossing ferry, i.e. to reach an island, to ever use this system in this country.

 
Travelled on the Aust ferry just the once, on the way to a shed bash in South Wales. It was an interesting experience.

 
Not quite the same but the Aust Ferries, replaced by the Severn Bridge, had turntables on the decks to aid the side loading and unloading of vehicles.

 
The other day we were discussing "Stromeferry - No Ferry" and I recall Kylestrome and Corran ferries .... just one left

From The BBC


Did we have any swivel ferries in the South West?

 
A Wightlink season ticket is £1725 a year.

 
There was an item in the I newspaper yesterday, about a gentleman who got fed up with the delays, up to four hours(?), commuting from the New Forest to Portsmouth.

His solution; cycle to Lymington, catch the ferry to Yarmouth, cycle to Fishbourne and catch ferry to Portsmouth. He did this for some years before resorting to the car (because of ill health?). In the paper because he had done it one last time to mark his retirement.

Wonder how the costs compared?

 
Shouldn't this appear in the bridge bash thread?! :-)

Looks as though they tried to go under the pier but the tide was in

 
From the BBC:

 

And MetroBust. It seems the normal rules of cost-benefit ratios are far from fixed. Reading between the lines, this boat was doomed to the sidelines once the Jury Panel's report had been made, without mentioning it. Had it been given a few lines, then it would have remained in service, trundling VIPs around the harbour, until 2016.

It's a shame, but it was never viable, especially not at the premium price charged for the journey when compared to Bristol Ferries et al, who cover a much wider area. Hydrogen for commercial use is made by using superheated steam to knock carbon atoms from methane, usually at a pressure of 20 atmospheres or so (300 psi). Enough could have been made for this project using electrolysis, powered by a solar panel or Economy 7 electricity. The lack of political will did for the Hydrogenesis in Bristol. Hopefully, all is not lost, and somewhere else can make better use of it.

 
And a university is the right place for such technology to built and funded by.

I disagree with Mayor Ferguson that the hydrogen boat served it's purpose. River transport in Bristol is a tiny percentage of the overall use of public transport in the city. Money would have been much better spent on hydrogen fuel cell technology for land based vehicles.

Bristol successfully won with it's bid to be European Green Capital in 2015 and the hydrogen fuelled waterbus was part of the submission. It wasn't however referenced in the Jury Panel report and only received one line in the Expert Evaluation Panel report. Copenhagen's submission was far more comprehensive with regard to hydrogen fuel cell technology. Their plan is to have all the vehicles used by the city running on either electricity or hydrogen by 2015. Bristol will still be using a large fleet of diesel vans for the foreseeable future.

 

Nope! Birmingham University built one a few years back - a narrowboat called the Ross Barlow.

 
From the BBC: