Now it's official - the ferry has right of way

From next month, for the first time, the ferry which plies across the harbour entrance between Sandbanks and Shell Bay, will have the right of way.

A new bylaw comes into force on September 3 which means that all craft under 50 metres long will be obliged to give way to the ferry, Bramble Bush Bay.

And if they don't, or attempt to pass close in front while it is underway, they can be prosecuted by Poole Harbour Commissioners and liable for a £1,000 fine and costs up to £500.

"At the moment the chain ferry has to give way to every single craft going in and out of the harbour. It has to stop and start. It has been recognised for some time that that's wrong," said Poole harbour master Peter Booth.

"Hopefully we will get nobody chancing their luck by passing close ahead of the chain ferry and causing it to stop.

"It stops fairly quickly. All those folks hoping to pass astern find themselves caught, sometimes very badly. There have been several collisions in the last couple of years," he said.

Neil McCheyne, general manager of Bournemouth Swanage Motor Road and Ferry Company, welcomed the new rule.

"We feel it will make the harbour entrance a lot safer for all harbour users and it's something that we have been pressing for, for some time," he said.

He said there had been a few incidents when craft were being pulled through the entrance by the strong tide, and some people were hesitant and unsure what they were supposed to do.

The rule for the ferry to give way came from an earlier time when there were far fewer recreational craft around, he explained. It will still remain at one side to allow ships larger than 50 metres to pass.

The new bylaw is being advertised by the harbour commissioners.

"We aim to educate," said Mr Booth. "Once the learning process is over, if people do flagrantly disobey the law, we will have no hesitation in prosecuting."

First published: August 19, 2005