Torpoint Ferry’s two-ferry squeeze set to run into November

Queues at Torpoint have been longer than usual for a while now, and anyone hoping the third ferry might reappear soon has a bit more waiting to do. Tamar Crossings has confirmed a fresh programme of engineering work is about to get under way on the crossing, on top of the reduced service already in place, and it will keep the Torpoint to Devonport route running on two ferries rather than three for several more weeks.

Why it’s already down to two boats

Regular users will already know the service has been operating with two ferries while Tamar Crossings works to restore normal staffing levels. That issue is separate from the maintenance programme now being announced, but the organisation has acknowledged that customers will feel both as one long stretch of reduced service, and says it understands the frustration that causes.

Tamar II’s 40,000-hour engine overhaul

The first stage centres on Tamar II, which comes out of service from 8 September for a 40,000-hour engine overhaul, a major milestone in the vessel’s running life. Engineers and contractors from Darthaven will carry out the specialist inspection and servicing work, which is scheduled to run from 8 to 18 September. Tamar II will stay moored in deep water at Torpoint throughout, and is currently pencilled in to return to service on the 18th, though that date could move if the work finishes early.

Plym II’s ageing control system gets replaced

Stage two shifts the focus to Plym II, due out of service from 21 September for an upgrade to its Integrated Platform Management System, or IPMS, alongside gantry work. Tamar Crossings describes the IPMS as the ferry’s central nervous system, the computer-based setup that lets crew in the engine control room monitor equipment, spot faults and manage the vessel’s engineering, safety and damage-control functions.

The system currently fitted to Plym II has been running for more than 20 years and is no longer supported by its manufacturer, so replacement parts, software updates and technical help are getting harder to come by. Tamar Crossings says faults are becoming more frequent as a result, with repairs taking longer to sort out. Plym II will also stay moored at Torpoint for the work rather than being towed elsewhere, which would keep it out of action for considerably longer. A return to service is pencilled in for near the end of October, depending on how the linked gantry and slipway work progresses.

Why the work can’t wait for the next refit

Tamar Crossings says some of this work would normally be left until a scheduled refit, but pushing it back further would raise the risk of a breakdown or an unplanned outage causing worse disruption down the line. The timing of the current programme has instead been built around contractor and equipment availability, with the aim of getting ahead of problems before they become bigger ones.

What it means for your crossing

Ferries will keep running every 15 minutes from each side of the river during the day throughout the works, with the normal night service continuing as usual. Tamar Crossings expects the whole programme, staffing and maintenance combined, to be finished by 30 October, when normal three-ferry operation is due to resume. Updates will continue to appear on the status update page as work progresses.

Ferry Manager Kellyann Bastos said: “We recognise this is another challenging period for our customers and fully understand the frustration that prolonged disruption can cause. While this programme involves a significant amount of work across both our vessels and infrastructure, it has been carefully planned so that we can complete a number of essential improvements at the same time, rather than creating repeated periods of disruption in the future. We know any reduction in service has an impact on those who rely on the ferry every day, and we genuinely appreciate everyone’s continued patience and understanding while these important works are completed.”