Cowes Chain Ferry

Most Islanders call it the Floating Bridge and for good reason.  It provides a vital foot passenger and vehicle link between Cowes and East Cowes with an excellent regular service.

You are advised to navigate with great caution in the vicinity of the chain ferry. The depth of navigable water above the chains varies depending on the height of tide and the position of the ferry in relation to the riverbanks. The chains connect and therefore span the fairway between the west and east sides of the river. The depth of navigable water is deepest in the middle of the fairway, and decreases towards both riverbanks and the prow of the ferry as the chains rise closer to the surface.  

You should keep well clear of the ferry prow and be aware that if the chain ferry is part way across, the navigable depth of water over the chains will decrease rapidly. When the chain ferry is berthed on either riverbank the least depth of navigable water above the chains is approximately tide height plus 1.5 metres in the middle of the fairway.

By taking good care, many thousands of boats pass by the chain ferry every year without a hitch. You should proceed carefully and remember that this is the narrowest point along the river and the tide can be ferociously fast.

A Specific Notice to Mariners has been introduced giving guidance on navigation in the vicinity of the chain ferry.