Westmorland and Furness Council’s iconic Windermere Ferry has been taken out of the water for its five-yearly refit and full inspection.
From Monday 15 April, ‘The Mallard’ passenger ferry will be out of service for approximately five weeks for a mandatory inspection that is required for maintaining its license to run.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) will lead the inspection to check the integrity of watertight enclosure of the ferry (the hull) and review the mechanical, electrical and operational records, ensuring the vessel is fit to continue providing the service.
The Council has already invested in significant improvements to ferry in January 2024 to enhance reliability of the service in winter months. Works involved modifying the ferry ramps and installing longer chains to allow the vessel to operate in higher lake levels.
As Windermere Ferry will be out of service from Monday 15 April to Friday 24 May, customers who have purchased a quarterly or annual fare prior to the inspection will receive a one month complementary extension.
Whilst the ferry is out of service, road users are encouraged to follow the signed diversion via the A591 to Ambleside then onto B5286 to Hawkshead.
Windermere Lake Cruises have also launched of a new 'Cross Lake Shuttle' foot passenger service. There are 10 crossings per day, with the first sailing leaving Bowness Pier 3 at 9.55am and the last return from Ash Landing at 5.05pm.
For daily service information and regular updates on the inspection and refit, follow Windermere Ferry on Facebook and X (formerly Twitter).