SAVE the date — the return of the Floating Bridge has been announced...but it's not for another month.

The problematic Floating Bridge 6 has been out of action since the end of August, after a major engine breakdown. A fault was found with one of the drive motors and as work got underway to fix it more issues were uncovered.

Scroll down for timeline of repairs before its return...

Now, over two months later, one of the ramps on the vessel has been removed and sent to Southampton, so contractors could work on it there. It had been due back on the Cowes-East Cowes crossing in mid-November.

Isle of Wight County Press:

Long time running? Video shows the chain ferry out of action in October 2020.

Setting out the timeline to bring the service back, Cllr Phil Jordan, Isle of Wight Council's cabinet member for infrastructure and transport, said the authority was pretty confident about things going according to plan.

He said: "We are rather hoping with the modifications the level of failure will be greatly reduced."

Speaking at the Isle of Wight Council's cabinet meeting last night (Thursday), Cllr Jordan said the shafts will be fitted on November 15 and modifications to the prow, in an attempt to resolve issues with the constantly-failing rams, will be completed by the end of the month.

What will happen...and when?

Isle of Wight County Press: Cllr Phil Jordan.Cllr Phil Jordan. (Image: Isle of Wight County Press.)

The work and systems will then be tested on December 5, before a Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) inspection on December 6.

After the cabinet meeting, Cllr Jordan explained the MCA wants to reinspect the vessel following the 'minor modifications' to the prow and ramps.

Due to the work, the MCA also requires the Floating Bridge's crew to 'refresh their training' on December 7, where they will be briefed by the company that carried out the repairs.

On December 8, the chains will be readjusted, in conjunction with Cowes Harbour Commission and further crew training and 'familiarisation' will take place, due to the prow modification.

The 'really good news', Cllr Jordan said, was the bridge will be back in service at 5am on December 13.

With all the work to the vessel, he said, the bridge has basically be replaced and said was more a floating tub than a boat.

A council decision on the future of the troubled vessel is to be made in January, following an independent review from the Solent Local Enterprise Partnership and the outcome of legal mediation.

A report will set out the best options to be taken to secure a long-term, reliable crossing between East Cowes and Cowes.

Cllr Jordan has not ruled out the possibility of a new vessel but said it would take three years to get and a crossing needs to be in place in the meantime.