The Dartmouth Lower Ferry service will be operating with just one float from Monday until the week leading up to Christmas.

Meanwhile, the Higher Ferry will be out of service on Wednesday, November 2, from 9am to allow work to be carried out on one of the two drive wheels. 

It will return to service again at 6.30am the following morning.

Each of the Lower Ferry’s float will be docked for refitting in turn, with only one out of operation at a time. The refit, which is necessary to ensure the Maritime Coastguard Agency annual passenger certificate is maintained, is carried out annually.

Ferry manager Pat Webb, said: “We apologise for any inconvenience, but will be using extra staff on the single ferry to speed up the service so our crossings will not be too much slower than when both units are operating.”

Both floats undergo this yearly inspection as part of the statutory regime in running the ferry. It will mean that for about one month the ferry will be down to single float working, before resuming its normal service in time for Christmas.