Underwater surveys have kicked off at Cowes Harbour ahead of Red Funnel’s new piled layby berth. The new dock, built on the channel’s eastern side, will serve the company’s fresh freight ferry launching next spring.
Digging Deep for Design
Experts are drilling into the seabed up to 30 metres deep—stopping sooner if they hit hard rock—to check ground conditions. Three boreholes will be drilled from a 10m x 10m barge. Samples will be sent off to labs for testing to help finalise the berth’s design.
What’s Next for Cowes Harbour?
The survey findings will shape the layby berth, which will hold the freight ferry while it waits for Red Funnel’s main East Cowes berth to free up. Bosses aim to sign off the final design this summer, with construction starting soon after.
Name Reveal & Ceremony
Mark your calendars! The new UK-built freight ferry gets its name unveiled at a keel-laying ceremony on Thursday 31 May 2018 at Cammell Laird’s shipyard.
