 Sandbanks Ferry in March 2003 | |
| Transit type | Chain ferry |
|---|---|
| Carries | 48 cars |
| Operator | Bournemouth - Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company |
| Frequency | Every 20 minutes |
| No. of vessels | 1 (Bramble Bush Bay) |
Sandbanks Ferry is a vehicular chain ferry which crosses the entrance of Poole Harbour in the English county of Dorset. The route runs from Sandbanks to Studland and in doing so connects the coastal parts of the towns of Bournemouth and Poole with Swanage and the Isle of Purbeck. This avoids a 25-mile journey by road on a return trip.[1]
The ferry, along with the road that connects with it on the Studland side, is owned by the Bournemouth–Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company, which initiated the ferry crossing in 1923, and a toll is charged for use of both road and ferry. The current ferry boat, named Bramble Bush Bay, was put into service in 1994 and can carry up to 48 cars. It is the fourth vessel to operate on the route.[1]
The entrance to Poole Harbour is a particularly busy waterway, used by many private and leisure craft along with commercial vessels including large ferries serving routes to France. This often affects the ability of the ferry to maintain its nominal 20 minute frequency. Morebus cross the ferry frequently throughout the day, on route 50 from Bournemouth to Swanage.
- ^ a b Hall, Nick (November 2006). "Chained links". Ships Monthly. IPC Country & Leisure Media. pp. 17–21.