By Isle of Wight Observer
The Isle of Wight Council has awarded a maintenance contract worth almost £600,000 to keep Floating Bridge 6 (FB6) in service, despite committing to replace the troubled vessel. Adams Precision Hydraulics, a specialist firm based in Southampton, has secured the £591,581 contract to maintain the chain ferry’s hydraulic systems for the next three years, with an option to extend the agreement until 2030.
The decision comes as the council continues early work on “Floating Bridge 7”, having set up a working group and appointed independent marine architects to oversee the procurement of a new vessel. However, the scale and duration of the new maintenance deal indicates that FB6 will remain in service for some considerable time.
Under the contract, the company will carry out monthly oil analysis, filter changes and routine servicing, as well as providing emergency call-outs to address the ferry’s frequent breakdowns.
Since entering service in 2017, the £3.2 million vessel has been beset by technical problems, grounding incidents and extended periods out of action. It has required millions of pounds in repairs and replacement launch services, and continues to operate at an annual loss of more than £1 million.
The council says the Cowes–East Cowes link remains an “essential” transport connection, operating up to 19.5 hours a day. But with the authority facing a difficult financial settlement from central government, some residents are questioning whether the promised replacement vessel will materialise – or whether FB6 is set to remain a major financial commitment for years to come.