Being out on the water is a real cause for celebration for the couple that operate the historic Harwich Harbour Ferry

The ferry service that has linked the three communities of Harwich, Shotley and Felixstowe for more than 100 years came to an abrupt end last September when the vessel was wrenched from its mooring at Ha’penny Pier.

The boat – previously a lifeboat on the SS Canberra – sustained extensive damage when she was pounded against a pontoon as gale force winds battered the coast. Luckily, however, she did not sink, though large sections of her port side were affected, her engine was flooded and all her electronics systems were lost.

The incident was a massive blow for owners Chris and Lucy Zemann, who took over the business in 2015 and had already – like so many other firms – been forced to ride out the financial storms associated with last year’s Covid-19related closures.

An estimated 30,000 people use the ferry every year, and local people were quick to respond to the news reports and photographs of the stricken vessel. A crowdfunding campaign raised a reported £12,000 and that, added to an insurance pay-out and the Zemann’s own money, has resulted in the successful repair of the vessel and the restoration of its daily crossings of Harwich Harbour.

Lucy explains: “We were devastated and shocked initially. We’d worked so hard in the season to protect the business from Covid disruptions, not to mention all the substantial maintenance work that we carry out on the ferry every year to keep her at her best. Very quickly though, we realised we needed to kick into proactive mode. We know how important the service is to the local communities as well as to us personally, so we had to save her. We were overwhelmed by all the messages of support and the call for customers to donate. These generous donations along with profits were added to the insurance pay-out, allowing us to complete repairs.”

The work was carried out by the Zemanns and a team of specialists along with the in-house experts at Suffolk Yacht Harbour. “Before SYH could carry out their extensive fibreglass work, the main urgency was to preserve the flooded engine and replace all necessary parts to ensure it would be saved,” explains Lucy. “We then spent days stripping back all the damaged parts

of the boat and replacing 300m of electrical cables throughout. We replaced the dashboard, whilst also repairing the smashed buoyancy chambers and bilge, which were damaged by a fire extinguisher that had made its way into the bilge during the storm. We then replaced all the cracked and buckled floor ready for SYH to begin their part of the repair: fibreglassing the floor and damaged hull. They also fabricated new heavy-duty steel keels. French Marine Motors fabricated and fitted the propeller and stern gland. SYH allowed us to continue with our part of the repair while they did their work – we fitted new windows which were supplied by Houdini Marine, and sanded and painted the whole vessel. JP Metalworks perfectly repaired the damaged gangway (we took the opportunity to widen the doorway at the gangway end, which will help when we carry bikes on and off at Felixstowe) and fabricated a new engine hood – we needed to replace it, so decided to improved its soundproofing at the same time. Last – but by no means an easy feat – was setting up all the systems including the onboard Wi-Fi, booking systems, card payment, ticketing, navigation and radios. The team behind the ferry service also operates Seal Watching Harwich, which gives passengers a chance to get up close to the thriving seal population of the Walton Backwaters and the Hamford Water Nature Reserve.

This is an area of tidal creeks, mudflats, islands, salt marshes and marsh grasslands, viewed best by boat. It’s a popular place among yacht and motorboat owners, who enjoy a night or two at anchor with only the local wildlife for company.

Up to 250 harbour and grey seals have taken up residence here – a healthy breeding population that has risen from only five in 1986. It is also an internationally important breeding ground for Little Terns, a wintering ground for dark-bellied Brent Geese, wildfowl and waders, and communities of coastal plants which are rare in Britain. A seal watching trip lasts for 90-120 minutes, and sightings are guaranteed – if you don’t see seals close up, you get a free trip! For more on seals around the East Coast, see p77. • www.sealwatching.co.uk

“We are so grateful to all the wonderful companies that worked very hard to help us repair the ferry. We are also really grateful to each of our own team of skilled workers who worked through a very cold winter to bring her back into service.”

The easing of lockdown this spring coincided perfectly with the return to service of the Harwich Harbour Ferry, much to the Zemanns’ delight. “It feels amazing to be back on the water,” says Lucy. “March 29 was the date we were aiming for and luckily it coincided with the easing of lockdown – it was such a relief when we completed everything just in time and got all the certification to begin service.

“We’ve got a great team working this season – some new and some seasoned crew. We are all looking forward to a really fun, sun-filled summer on the water. We can’t wait to welcome new and existing customers back on board.”

The Harwich Harbour Ferry operates a daily service (in favourable weather) from the end of October and priority boarding is offered to passengers who book online. • www.harwichharbourferry.com