Passenger ferries, linking Felixstowe Ferry to the sandy beach at Bawdsey Quay, have been crossing the Deben for hundreds of years. For a short period, steam chain ferries also carried vehicles, but contrary to the directions given by some satellite navigation systems, cars now need to take the 40 minute road route around the Deben Estuary. In contrast, foot passengers make the journey in a few minutes and never have to wait long for a crossing as a bat can be waved to call over the ferryman.