please empty your brain below
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I can't help but think the skill of ferry captain docking at a normal wharf would be better.
Andrew | Homepage | 05.02.19 - 7:41 a.m. | #
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Yes indeed DG the river conditions will play the biggest part in docking... that plus they don't want to scratch the new paintwork... yet :)
Kevin Too | 05.02.19 - 8:02 a.m. | #
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I wonder if this new docking system is used successfully elsewhere. I hope it is just teething problems, rather than a fundamental issue with the technology.
Andrew | 05.02.19 - 8:25 a.m. | #
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Why introduce the new docking system, the old system of gently colliding with the tower (and the array of wood and old tyres) then increasing power to control the bounce seemed to work effectively, was it to remove any human involvement?, it may well get quicker with the passage of time.
Still Anon | 05.02.19 - 8:27 a.m. | #
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I can't understand why in 2019 we are still at the mercy of the skill of the captain to dock successfully. Surely the last few metres would be better done by autonomous navigation - all the more so since the ferries are hybrid and ought to be able to react instantly using battery power?
Incidentally, no comment as to how noisy it was. Is it hybrid as in a Prius or as in a Borisbus (i.e. in reality not).
Pedantic of Purley | 05.02.19 - 8:39 a.m. | #
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I don't think the collective noun for traffic is 'hordes'. Nevertheless, an excellent piece of reporting. &, a stat for your count.
B | 05.02.19 - 8:59 a.m. | #
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A good report. Very disappointing that the fancy docking system performs so badly. Can't we get anything right?
M | 05.02.19 - 9:12 a.m. | #
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You'd think a simple system with a couple of ropes and winches would allow a much quicker and still precise procedure.
Dave | 05.02.19 - 9:19 a.m. | #
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I'm looking forward to trying it out soon. It's been well over a decade since I last explored that bit of town.
David @dtl | Homepage | 05.02.19 - 9:45 a.m. | #
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One of our neighbours works on the ferry.
He recently told me that they have to dock exactly on the magnetic pads which then communicate wirelessly with the controls of the machinery that operates the ramps.
There are therefore two points of failure:-
a) not lining up accurately enough with the pads; and
b) the wireless link not working.
He said (b) is more common than (a) - new technology, eh!
If either doesn't work, they have to back off and try again.
The crews have asked for an override button, but nothing has yet been provided.
John Simmons | 05.02.19 - 9:52 a.m. | #
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Ironically, just after reading today’s post I discovered that the service was suspended although no reason was shown for the disruption!
Rob Healy | Homepage | 05.02.19 - 10:18 a.m. | #
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I recall a fairly recent news story on trials of an autonomous ferry in Finland, which sails and docks itself... here we are.
The Woolwich ferry appears to be using a so-called "intelligent" dock locking system from Mampaey: here.
Andrew | 05.02.19 - 10:26 a.m. | #
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@Andrew - This publicity suggests it's the first ferry to use it, although that doesn't preclude other marine applications in harbours etc. The Thames has much stronger currents to contend with than most harbours.
@still anon - the old system used the engines to hold the vessel against the jetty, which uses a lot of diesel. Hence the desire for a "greener" method.
@dave - ropes and winches take time, and are dangerous for the crew - one of the new ferries is named after a crewman who died in such an accident.
timbo | 05.02.19 - 10:37 a.m. | #
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Looking at your photo of the cabin I see what looks like and air conditioner unit in the ceiling, so hopefully warm in winter and cool in summer.
John | 05.02.19 - 10:49 a.m. | #
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1100 hours - Ferry Closed.
Roger French | Homepage | 05.02.19 - 11:04 a.m. | #
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Thanks, Timbo. There are almost always unexpected problems when you introduce new technology, or try to use existing technology in new situations. It took rather longer than expected to get a reliable form of atmospheric railway into permanent operation.
Andrew | 05.02.19 - 11:25 a.m. | #
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Looking forward to a trip on that...if I can be sure it won't be a wasted long journey to get there...
Dominic H | 05.02.19 - 4:23 p.m. | #
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A good thing about the old boats - for a motorcyclist - was that [as regards the vehicle deck] bikes would be the first allowed on and the first to disembark. Straight on, straight off, and not a bother to anyone.
I'm still waiting for some clearer weather to venture down there, myself, but I'd be interested to know if this is still the case: can I ask if you happened to notice, one way or the other?
RogerW | 05.02.19 - 4:59 p.m. | #
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Thanks for yet another very informative article... I've been wondering what the latest was with the new ferries.
| 05.02.19 - 6:02 p.m. | #
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Um. I'd rather assumed the point of the magnetic pads was to pull the boat into the right docking position. If all they do is hold the boat once it manages to mate correctly with the tower then something like the old v-shaped pier would seem to be needed as well. Of course we don't have the full story, but TfL is hardly covering itself in glory on the comms front on this one so uninformed speculation is inevitable.
Andrew Simpson | 05.02.19 - 8:12 p.m. | #
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DG. You timed your visit well. It's been closed since you used it, still is this morning!
IslandDweller | 06.02.19 - 11:40 a.m. | #
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p.s. 'Horde' is the collective noun for gnats. I expect they all come from Gnats Hill (OS map deliberate misspelling for Gants Hill).
B | 06.02.19 - 5:03 p.m. | #
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• January: Not yet reopened
• First four days of February: Limited Service
• Since then: Closed for emergency engineering works
diamond geezer | Homepage | 10.02.19 - 8:48 a.m. | #
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