IT MIGHT not be as glamorous or stylish as many of the boats at Skandia Life Cowes Week but the craft is essential to the success of the world famous regatta.

The Cowes floating bridge connects either side of the River Medina and will be operating an extended service throughout the event.

From the early hours of today until the early hours of Sunday August 12 the usual back-and-forth operation which would normally end at midnight has been extended to about 2am.

After this there will be each-way services at 2.20am, 2.40am and 3am.

The usual Monday to Saturday services will start at 5am. On the two Sundays the usual 6.05am service will operate, with the back-and-forth daily service beginning at 7am. Next Friday, Fireworks Night, the only vehicles that will be carried between 7pm and 11pm will be emergency services.