Bristol’s iconic blue and yellow ferry boats are servicing the city’s waterways as usual despite the devastating fire at Underfall Yard on the evening of 6 May.
The fire resulted in the destruction of the community business’ workshop and their essential maintenance tools and equipment.
Despite the awful loss and added financial pressures, the organisation has reassured its customers that they will not stop any services. Bosses at the not-for-profit business say that despite this huge setback, they will be operating as normal.
Carrie Browne, Co-Director of Bristol Community Ferryboats (BCFB), said: “We are all devastated by the loss of our maintenance shed for our business and for the people of Bristol who have lost such a historic part of its maritime history.
“Despite the huge challenges we face, we are committed to delivering all our services including, private hire, public trips, waterbus services and our community and education trips. I am incredibly proud of our staff who are out on our boats seven days a week, offering wonderful tours of the harbour and enjoyable parties. Although they are grieving this huge loss, it means so much for them to see the public enjoying the waterways.”
BCFB Maintenance Manager John Raymond-Barker worked at Underfall Yard for over 20 years and lost a lifetimes collection of tools in the fire. “The tools I’ve lost will be extremely hard to replace, they are specialist tools that I have spent my life’s career as a boatbuilder collecting. It is going to take a lot of time, and money to recover from this."
Each of the five ferries in the fleet at BCFB undergoes a yearly survey by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. John said “We are counting ourselves lucky that all of the ferries have undergone their yearly surveys. If this had happened a few weeks ago three of our ferries would have been lost in the fire, although things are going to be tough, we are grateful we can continue to operate.”
Bristol Ferries are now fundraising for the tools and equipment they will need to continue to operate throughout the year. Carrie said “We are so grateful for the support of the public and our community of Shareholders, we hope that the people of Bristol will be able to support us by coming on one of our ferry tours or booking us for a special occasion party.
“Ferry fares start from as little as £2 and, as a community business, every penny spent by customers is invested back into the fleet and the services offered. We also have a donations page on our website for anyone wishing to donate online.”
To find out more, visit www.bristolferry.com/donate/
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