Ferry service restart bid is shelved
THE ferry service between Llansteffan and Ferryside will not restart this year due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Directors at Carmarthen Bay Ferries halted all services of the Glansteffan ferry across the River Towy in March last year when the virus swept in, and the vessel has not been in operation since.
Last month they spoke of hoping to reintroduce the service during the spring, but reluctantly that too has been postponed.
It means the ferry known as Glansteffan will not set sail for at least another 12 months.
Chair of Carmarthen Bay Ferries Kenton Morgan said: “We realise this will be an enormous blow to our supporters on both sides of the estuary and to the Friends of Glansteffan Ferry, who have been so enthusiastic and supportive in fundraising during the first lockdown.”
Mr Morgan said in taking the decision, the uncertainty around the future progress of the pandemic and its potential effect on tourism and demand for boat trips and the ferry service in 2021 were major considerations.
He added: “The operational plans were to begin the ferry service and the popular boat trips to Laugharne, Carmarthen and Caldey Island off Tenby at the beginning of April and to operate until the end of September.
“This became less likely as the directors looked at the effect of starting operations later in the year and reviewed their decision on a monthly basis.
“In the end, the uncertainty and risk to the company of operating in a climate which might result in significant financial loss forced their hand and a decision was made not to operate this season.”
The scrapping of this season means a couple who got engaged in the middle of the River Towy estuary and were planning a special trip back on to the water this year will have to also postpone.
Last week we reported on Becky and Richie Gibbons from Ferryside, who were on the Glansteffan ferry when Richie popped the question during the summer of 2019 and that they tied the knot in October of that year.
Fast forward to the end of 2020 and Becky won a prize draw for her and up to nine friends and family to have a ferry trip when it comes back into service once Covid-19 restrictions allow.
The couple will be hoping they can mark the occasion next year.