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Isle of Wight: Chain ferry hold-up

Motor home stuck on chain ferry

By Emily Pearce - Friday, August 15, 2008
Motor home stuck on chain ferry
FERRY HOLD-UP: Onlookers watch the struggle to free a large motor home, which became stuck as it tried to disembark from the chain ferry today (Friday). Picture by Pat Luckett.
PASSENGERS were delayed for nearly an hour at the chain ferry today (Friday), when a large motor home became stuck as it tried to disembark.
The occupants of the vehicle realised they were in trouble when their rear bumper caught on the ground as they tried to drive off the ferry, causing queues of traffic to block the roads at both the Cowes and East Cowes ports.
Pat Luckett, of Hendy Road, East Cowes, was on her way to meet a friend in Cowes when she became caught up in the chaos.
“The staff tried to get the van off the ferry, but it took ages. They tried making a ramp out of some planks, then they tried to reverse the ferry a bit. They eventually managed to get it off after lots of jiggling around.
“It caused quite a bit of damage in the end and there were huge grooves in the ground where the van scraped its way off.
“A couple of people waiting to get on the ferry gave up and turned around, but quite a few started getting out of their cars and taking pictures. It was quite entertaining.”