Wightlink’s annual programme of maintenance for its eight-strong fleet is underway.
The ferry company is spending more than £8million to keep all its vehicle ferries, FastCat passenger catamarans and port facilities in excellent condition to carry around four million passengers a year to and from the Isle of Wight in safety and comfort.
The six-month-long programme began as soon as the school holidays ended with the Lymington-Yarmouth ferry Wight Sky sailing to Hythe Shipyard.
Works undertaken included painting the vehicle deck, pouring new resin flooring in passenger walkways and installing a new control box.
Wight Light will be the next ferry to be sent to Hythe in October.
FastCat Wight Ryder 1 is currently in drydock at Trafalgar Shipyard in Portchester and her sister Wight Ryder 2 will follow in early 2025.
From now until Easter, all ferries will be withdrawn from service in turn for refurbishment, as required by their maintenance schedules.
A Refit Captain and crew accompanies each ship and will carry out much of the work as they have expert knowledge of their vessel.
“Routine maintenance is carried out all year round but annual refit work on our fleet, including dry docking, is essential,” says Fleet and Operations Director John Burrows.
“Our engineers plan their schedules many months in advance and engage specialist contractors for complex tasks.
"We also make sure we keep Wightlink port infrastructure in good order as it needs to work efficiently in all weathers.”
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