In the early hours of this morning (Tuesday), the Cowes floating bridge made her last journey across the mouth of the River Medina, Isle of Wight.
The floating bridge (sometimes referred to as the chain ferry) has been running between the two towns of Cowes for 40 years, but from today has gone into retirement.
She’ll be replaced with a brand new floating bridge in late March.
Time-lapse of ‘Floaty’ leaving
Allan Marsh, who lives very close by, filmed two brilliant time lapse videos of the floating bridge. We’d recommend clicking on the full screen icons for best versions.
The video shows the floating bridge being dismantled and taken away. 40 seconds in you can start to see the chain being disconnected from the near end.
Once the chains have been disconnected from the Floating Bridge, you can see a red vehicle at the far end making multiple trips up and down the slipway, pulling the chain through.
While this is happening, a vessel is holding the Floaty in place to ensure it doesn’t float away, before finally taking it off to the open waters of the Solent.
Final day: Journey in both direction
Aware that reader Dan Morgan has a dash-cam, OnTheWight got in touch to see whether he could film the crossing on the final day.
He kindly drove up to East Cowes and took the floating bridge from west to east and back again in order to film the experience for us (with the windows rolled down to capture the clunking of the chains). Thanks Dan!
Timelapse of last day
Allan also filmed the floating bridge on her last day.
Video of last sailing
Christian Beasley decided to record the very last crossing in the early hours of this morning. He said,
“It was bitterly cold and there were only a few hardy souls on board. I was hoping that some suitable music would be broadcast (eg Ride of the Valkyries), but it all ended rather quietly. Not even a mince pie or hot toddy.
“The only vehicle on board was a Police van, perhaps to control the (non-existent) crowds.”
Julian Adams, from the Waverley Park Holiday Centre, shared this video – taken from the eastern shore – of the last crossing.
Floating bridge for sale
The floating bridge has been parked-up a little further up the Medina River until a new owner can be found.
A number of road closures in connection with the reconstruction of the floating bridge slipway came into force today (more here).
A passenger launch (inc cycles) is now in place to transport foot passengers across the river until the new floating bridge comes into service near the end of March.
Image: © Virtually Wight
