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Dorset drivers stranded as Sandbanks ferry breaks down

Ferry Online Travel News 25/08/2008

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Drivers were forced into a long drive home when a chain snapped on the Sandbanks ferry last weekend.

The ferry, which links Studland and Poole, went out of service at around 1:30 pm, which left drivers no alternative other than driving along the congested A351.

A351 is normally slow going during the summer holiday period, and with this long bank holiday weekend the traffic was even worse – and compounded by the breakdown of the ferry service.

The ferry’s general manager, Neil McCheyne, stated that one of the links on the ferry’s chain had “opened up.”

Fortunately, there was a spare chain available and the company’s engineers spent a busy afternoon and evening engaged in repair work hoping to have the ferry service back in operation by 9:00 pm.

Buses were brought in to shuttle beachgoers back to Sandbanks from the Studland side, and small boat was also put into operation that carried up to 10 passengers at a time.

Drivers in the area were given warning of the closure by signs that were put up on surrounding roads.

McCheyne commented: "In my experience - I've been here about eight years - it's not happened.

"I believe it's happened in the past, but only when other vessels have come into contact with the chain.

"It's certainly not happened recently."

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