Windermere Lake Cruises’ team of engineers has hauled the Cumbria County Council-operated car ferry out of the water this week (Friday), for maintenance and inspection works required for the operator’s licence.
The ferry, which can carry up to 15 cars and more than 100 passengers during each trip across the lake between Bowness and Far Sawrey, will be out of service for approximately three weeks during its five-yearly refit and full inspection.
The boat, named Mallard, was escorted by two Windemere Lake Cruises safety boats from Ferry Nab down to Lakeside on March 8, where it was then hauled onto the attraction’s private slipway for the vessel to be inspected by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) ship surveyors.
Windermere Lake Cruises Operations Director John Woodburn says, “We’re always very happy to help Cumbria County Council out whenever it’s possible for us to do so. In this case, we’re making our private slipway available for the MCA to carry out these important checks. Although we are two completely separate organisations, we both share the lake, so we’re pleased to be of assistance whenever it is practical for us to do so.”
