Floating Bridge No 6: Simon Hart MP is pictured with Kevin Lewis, operations director for Mainstay Marine Solutions, during a tour of the new Isle of Wight ferry that has been built by Mainstay in Pembroke Dock.

The £3.2 million floating bridge will cross between East and West Cowes and was commissioned by Isle of Wight Council.

“It is incredible to think that this boat has been built from scratch in Pembroke Dock in just 12 months,” said Mr. Hart. “That’s a great testament to the skills and workforce at Mainstay.”

The floating bridge will operate 18 hours a day, 365 days a year, with a crossing time of no more than 2.5 minutes every 10-15 minutes. The ferry will transport a total of around 1.5 million pedestrians and 400,000 vehicles annually.

Stewart Graves, MD of Mainstay, commented: “This has been a flagship project for Mainstay Marine that demonstrates the capabilities of our design team, highly-skilled workforce, and apprentices. We are delighted to have been part of this project and are very proud to deliver an iconic vessel to the Isle of Wight council.”