Dartmouth Lower Ferry winter refit announced

South Hams District Council has announced the dates for Dartmouth Lower Ferry to have its winter refit after a busy summer. 

After a busy summer period crossing back and forwards across the river Dart, the hard-working Lower Ferry Floats will receive some well-earned recovery time.

The Dartmouth Lower Ferry will be moving to its winter rota from today, Monday, 31 October, until next Easter.

A spokesperson for SHDC said: "As with other years, this means there will be a single ferry service running to allow for the annual refits of the tugs and floats.

"There are two floats in total, two Tom’s and three Hauley’s IV, V and VI and they all need to be kept in tip-top condition to help keep the district’s traffic moving from side to side.

"The first float, Tom Avis, will be docked for a refit from Monday 7 November for six weeks, followed by the Tom Casey at the beginning of February. Hauley V and Hauley VI will start their refits in November."

The refits are all an essential as part of the Maritime Coastguard Agency safety inspections to make sure the annual passenger certificate is continued.

South Hams District Council’s Executive Member for Commercial Strategy, Cllr Hilary Bastone, said: “We will be using extra staff on the single ferry to speed up the service, during the annual refits to keep the impact on passengers as low as possible.

"This means our crossings will not be much slower than when both ferries are operating.

“As always the safety of our passengers and staff is our primary concern so these annual refits are an essential part of the smooth running of the service.”

If there is a need during the winter period to increase to two ferries, for instance when the Higher Ferry carries out its own annual service, then we will briefly fill this gap to support our local residents and commuters.

For more information on the ferry, please visit: www.southhams.gov.uk/dartmouthlowerferry

Photo: Tom Casey and Hauley at sunrise - by Suzie Squire Bowden