The intention is to run the normal three ferry service until approximately 0830, at which time we will reduce to a two ferry service. Should this change, social media and the website will be updated at the earliest opportunity.

The timing of the second chain change will be published as soon as we can identify a suitable weather and tide window.

The complex nature of the replacement works means we need the weather and tides to be within strict limits. While we always aim to carry out these works over a weekend when traffic flows are lighter to minimise disruption to users, the predicted high wind speeds for this weekend means it would not be safe to proceed, and tides on the subsequent two weekends are not favourable.

Ferry chains need to be replaced every three years and, where possible, we try and match these works with the refit programme to avoid damaging recently recoated deck surfaces where the chain has to be handled – and in this case Lynher is going for refit next month.

Changing main chains is a major engineering exercise – each chain is over 650 metres long and weighs 23 tonnes – and involves the ferry itself being used to pick up the old chain and feed in the new chain. Part of the process is ‘pulling slack’ – getting the right amount of slack and tension into the chain so that it will match operational requirements. The whole process typically takes 2-3 days depending on tide timings.