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Preparations well underway for refit of Torpoint ferry LYNHER
24 February 2025
Preparations for the planned refit of the Torpoint ferry LYNHER are now well underway, with the ferry currently due to be taken out of service on Monday 24 March in preparation for being towed to Falmouth.
Prior to this date the ferry will be out of service from 4 to 12 March for some preliminary refit works.
You can watch a short film about ferry refits here:
LYNHER is one of three chain ferries operated by Tamar Crossings which provide a vital 24-hour ferry service in all weathers for up to 8,000 vehicles and around 1,500 pedestrians each day, 365 days a year.
Achieving this requires a significant planned maintenance programme. Whilst the majority of maintenance is carried out while the vessels are afloat or during off-peak periods when an individual vessel is not in scheduled service. Major maintenance activities and equipment upgrades have to be carried out during refits in dry dock conditions.
“The ferries can only be towed in relatively calm sea states and wind conditions.
This means that adverse weather can, and has in the past, significantly impacted on the actual dates of the towing operations in both directions.
We are obviously hopeful that the tow will be able to go ahead on schedule. If, however, the date has to be changed at short notice we will provide information through our website, social media and other means. We will also be publishing regular updates on the progress of the refit on our website.”
Andrew Vallance
Interim General Manager for Tamar Crossings
The refit of PLYM took place in 2023 and TAMAR in 2024, with the refit of LYNHER this year the final one in the current cycle.
The refit is scheduled to take up to eight weeks to complete, with the ferry due to return to service by the end of May.
The refits also allow the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) and Lloyds Register the opportunity to carry out their five-yearly dry-dock inspections which are aimed at ensuring that the ferries are in compliance, in a good material condition, and that they are safe to operate.