TAMAR II has left Torpoint to travel to Falmouth for her five yearly refit at the A&P dry dock facilities.The ferry is currently due to return to service in June. However, if weather conditions are good and there are no other issues, the ferry could return to service earlier than this date.
During the refit period the service is being provided by the two remaining ferries, one leaving each side of the river every 15 minutes (on the hour and 15, 30 and 45 minutes past the hour), between 06:30 and 22:00 and a single half hourly, night service ferry from 2200 to 06:30…
Regular updates on the service are being provided on the Tamar Crossing’s website and social media channels.
TAMAR is one of three ferries operated by Tamar Crossings which provides a vital 24 hour chain ferry service in all weathers for up to 8,000 vehicles, including emergency vehicles, and 1,500 pedestrians each day, 365 days a year.
This is believed to be the world’s biggest and busiest chain ferry service, and is the UK’s busiest inland waterway ferry crossing.
Achieving this requires a significant planned maintenance programme. While the majority of maintenance is carried out while the vessels are afloat or during off peak periods while an individual vessel is not on scheduled service, some maintenance activities have to be carried out during refits in dry dock conditions.
TAMAR’S will include a number of key elements, including
· A mandatory dry docking to allow a survey of the underwater hull to ensure the material state is sufficient to safely last a further five years. This is a statutory requirement and satisfactory completion is required to allow the issue of a Chain Ferry Certificate by the regulatory authority, the Maritime and Coastguard Agency.
· Replacing systems and equipment that are becoming obsolete or have reached end of life, including chainwheel drive couplings and bearings together with propulsion motor electronic drive components.
· Repainting the vessel both above and below the waterline.
These refits are essential to maximise the life of the ferries and ensure that we continue to provide a safe and reliable service.
We are working closely with A&P to ensure that the works are completed on schedule and the ferry is back in service as quickly as possible.
We are pleased to welcome Torpoint Ferries back to A&P Falmouth with the arrival of TAMAR II .The A&P project team has been liaising closely with Tamar Crossings to plan the refit. We are proud of our collaborative working partnership with the ferries team and we look forward to a very successful refit.
