{"id":666240,"date":"2026-06-30T15:13:12","date_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:13:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/666240\/"},"modified":"2026-06-30T15:13:12","modified_gmt":"2026-06-30T15:13:12","slug":"why-mersey-ferries-have-been-suspended-for-so-many-days","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/666240\/","title":{"rendered":"Why Mersey Ferries have been suspended for so many days"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>The last remaining Mersey Ferry has been out of service for five days and the new ferry is not yet in operation<\/p>\n<p>13:25, 30 Jun 2026Updated 16:06, 30 Jun 2026<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"The Dazzle Ferry (Snowdrop) on the River Mersey earlier this year\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_Mersey-Ferry-on-the-River-Mersey-Photo-by-Colin-Lane.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"The Dazzle Ferry (Snowdrop) on the River Mersey earlier this year\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The Dazzle Ferry (Snowdrop) on the River Mersey earlier this year(Image: Colin Lane\/Liverpool Echo)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Mersey Ferries have been suspended for five consecutive days, causing ongoing problems for commuters. The ECHO has been looking into what is behind the extended issues facing the iconic river crossing.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The commuter ferries take people between the Pier Head in Liverpool and the Seacombe Ferry Terminal in <a aria-label=\"WirralLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/wirral\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Wirral<\/a> directly. Meanwhile, the 50 minute river explorer cruises are popular with tourists, with recorded commentary telling stories about the history of the Mersey Ferries and Merseyside as a whole.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/mersey-ferries\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Mersey Ferries<\/a> has announced the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"http:\/\/since%20thursday,%20june%2025,\/\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">suspension of services every day since Thursday, June 25<\/a>, citing a &#8220;technical issue&#8221; each time. The ferries are operated by Merseytravel for the <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/liverpool-combined-authority\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Liverpool City Region Combined Authority.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The ECHO approached the authority yesterday about what this technical issue is and when services were expected to resume as normal.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">In response, a Mersey Ferries spokesperson said: \u201cDue to a technical issue, we are unfortunately currently unable to run our commuter and River Explorer services until further notice.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cA replacement bus service is in place for both the AM and PM commuter services which is operating between Seacombe Ferry Terminal and Hamilton Square railway station, with ticket acceptance on <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/merseyrail\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Merseyrail<\/a> services.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWe have engineers working on site and hope to have this issue resolved as soon as possible. We apologise for any inconvenience that this has caused.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Update: We have now heard from the Combined Authority, who told us the ferry service will resume later today.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A spokesperson said: &#8220;After maintenance work carried out on the engine and a series of tests, we\u2019re pleased to confirm that the Snowdrop will resume service later on today.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cWe would like to thank our passengers for their patience while this issue was resolved.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The technical issue related to the Snowdrop Ferry, commonly known as the Dazzle, which is currently the only ferry in operation on the Mersey.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The vessel is designed in tribute to the naval strategies of World War 1.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Dazzle is currently alone on the river <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news\/liverpool-news\/final-voyage-looms-royal-iris-33487654\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">after the Royal Iris ferry was retired and decommissioned earlier this year.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Whereas previously, if one ferry had suffered a fault it would be replaced by the second vessel, currently a fault means the whole service is suspended.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">But this won&#8217;t be the case for long, a new \u00a326m ferry, <a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news\/liverpool-news\/gallery\/first-look-inside-new-mersey-34049306\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">The Royal Daffodil<\/a>, which was built at Birkenhead&#8217;s Cammell Laird, has been completing sea tests and is due to enter passenger service within weeks.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">For the latest news and breaking news visit<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> liverpoolecho.co.uk\/news<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Get all the big headlines, pictures, analysis, opinion and video on the stories that matter to you by signing up to our<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/data.reachplc.com\/212764146160855\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> daily and breaking newsletter<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Sign up to our breaking news newsletter<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/data.reachplc.com\/212764146160855\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> here<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Follow us on<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.liverpoolecho.co.uk\/all-about\/twitter\" rel=\"follow nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> X<\/a><a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/LivEchonews\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> @LivECHONews<\/a> or on<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/bsky.app\/profile\/liverpoolecho.co.uk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> Bluesky @liverpoolecho.co.uk<\/a> &#8211; official Liverpool ECHO accounts &#8211; real news in real time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We&#8217;re also on<a aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/theliverpoolecho\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\"> Facebook\/theliverpoolecho<\/a> &#8211; your must-see news, features, videos and pictures throughout the day from the Liverpool ECHO.<\/p>\n<p><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"The last remaining Mersey Ferry has been out of service for five days and the new ferry is&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":666241,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[59,57,58,708,126543,50,981,56,54,55,2166],"class_list":["post-666240","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-united-kingdom","tag-gb","tag-great-britain","tag-greatbritain","tag-liverpool","tag-mersey-ferries","tag-news","tag-traffic-and-travel","tag-uk","tag-united-kingdom","tag-unitedkingdom","tag-wirral"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/666240","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=666240"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/666240\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/666241"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=666240"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=666240"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=666240"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}