Two chains ...https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0DPtR0yF5C0 but within a few days of service it was withdrawn because cars grounded. Since then it has been plagued by problems eg when strong current running up/downstream it needs sideways assistance to keep it from straying in the river.

There seems to be installed two chains. You can see it on this photo:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2991039
May there is only one engine?

By the way, "canberra97", you mentioned the former floating bridge laid up at Gosport:
To who it may interests:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2953609
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2953611

Regards Marc

Reading the online press comment on this sorry tale is enlightening.
I am interested in your comment regarding the use of only one chain, as the original building spec has "The vessel is to be propelled by a hydraulic drive system via two chain drive wheels along fixed chains. Independent chain drive wheels operating in tandem to be arranged to the north and south sides of the Vessel."
see https://tinyurl.com/y39kl3k5 (page 73)
Was this modified later, or did the previous one have two chains each side?

Many Thanks "canberry97" for this very interesting background information.
Here there are two more pictures of this strange arrangement:
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2991535
http://www.shipspotting.com/gallery/photo.php?lid=2991537

Kind regards Marc

Interesting photo and comments thanks

The new Cowes floating bridge has been a disaster from day one, the fact that it was built with the ability for only one chain rather than two which the previous vessels had has had a major impact on it's operations.

The link chain by all accounts is also too long hence the use of an expensive tug when the weather is bad or the River Medina is at high tide as she drags with the tide.

White Shipbuilders based in East Cowes have been brought in to try and rectify the issue which will probably mean that it's out of service again.

The berth has been modified for the new floating bridge so there's no chance of the ''old'' floating which is laid up at Gosport being brought back into service.