Sandbanks Ferry: Fast Facts
Official company name: The Bournemouth-Swanage Motor Road & Ferry Company
Founding and acquisition dates:
- The Sandbanks Ferry was formed in July 1923 following an Act of Parliament promoted by the Aman family
- The business was acquired by the current owners, now The Fairacres Group, in 1983
Owners: The Kean family (now in its third generation), own The Fairacres Group
Operating office: Ferry Office, Ferry Road, Studland, BH19 3BA
Company size: Approximately 30 permanent and seasonal staff, all of which live locally
Company Officers & Operational Team:
- Mike Kean, Chairman
- Rosie Kean, Communications Director
- Wayne Row, General Manager
- Nick Purchase, Office Administrator
- Helen John, Accounts Administrator
- Ellie Evison, Office Assistant
- Matt Edwards, Training Officer
Key facts, stats, and service information:
- The Sandbanks Ferry crosses between Sandbanks, Poole, and Shell Bay, Studland in Dorset seven days a week, every 20 minutes, from 7am to 11.10pm
- Each crossing takes approximately 4 minutes
- The ferry carries pedestrians, bicycles, motorcycles, cars and light vans, goods vehicles / camper vans, buses, and coaches
- The current ferry, Bramble Bush Bay, is the fourth vessel to operate this service
- Bramble Bush Bay is 242 feet in length, with a nominal capacity of 48 cars. This capacity has increased by 220% over the past 90 years
Every year, Bramble Bush Bay carries approximately:
- 600,000 cars and vans
- 150,000 pedestrians
- 100,000 bicycles and motorbikes
- 10,000 buses and coaches
- 3,000 trucks
Company history: The company history for The Sandbanks Ferry can be found here
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