Swan song for ferry after breakdown

By Richard Wright

Friday, March 13, 2009

WIGHTLINK’S 35-year-old ferry Cenred was brought back into service for a final time yesterday (Thursday) when one of her multi-million-pound replacements broke down.

Wight Light was taken out of service on Thursday morning for repairs to her hydraulic ramp and Cenred brought back to the Yarmouth-Lymington route for her swan song.

But just before Cenred was taken out of service for the final time on expiry of her passenger safety certificate, the 4.45pm sailing from Yarmouth ran aground in the Lymington River. Low spring tides were blamed for her touching bottom.

Frustrated passengers were given free refreshments by Wightlink.

On Wednesday low tides caused Wight Sky to be trapped by mud in Yarmouth Harbour just metres away from the terminal.

Wightlink said passengers were delayed for 20 minutes and dredging had since taken place to deepen the channel.

Reporter: richardw@iwcpmail.co.uk