Windermere ferry is reported to be 'gleaming' after it received a fresh coat of paint this week. 

This was week three of the MCA Inspection which has seen it taken out of the water for its five-year refit and full inspection.

'The Mallard' passenger ferry has been out of service from Monday April 15, as is required for the mandatory inspection in order to maintain its licence to run.

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During this refit the entire external hull, deck, deckhouse, and fittings are being prepared and repainted with specialist marine coatings.

In addition to the external painting, the passenger saloon interior has been repainted and the deck prepared for coating with a non-slip coating, and the wheelhouse repainted internally.

Within the seven hull compartments, areas of damaged coating and corrosion are also going to be prepared and recoated.

The final coats of which will return Mallard to her long-standing colour scheme.

The Westmorland Gazette: The deck has also been prepared for a non-slip coating

As part of an update from Westmorland and Furness Council, a Facebook post created this morning (April 4) said: "This week, the hydraulic pumps and motors that power the ferry and the four hydraulic rams that operate the ramps have been stripped and inspected and a package of servicing, refurbishment and parts replacement agreed with the specialist contractor.

"There's lots of work still to do, but progress this week has kept the refit programme on track to complete by Friday 24 May."