Damaged Clipper is out of action until end of August

The ferry company said passengers would be transferred onto its high speed ferries and a charter boat would be brought in to ensure freight got through.

Despite a lack of stock in some food outlets, Public Services minister Deputy Paul Luxon commended Condor's efforts in trying to deal with the situation and was pleased with the contingency plans being implemented.

He said the department had not even considered looking into whether Condor had breached its service requirements.

'They are working hard to cope with the situation and address it as quickly as possible.'

Repairs are being carried out on the Clipper in dry dock in Falmouth after the hull scraped the sea bed last week.

Condor said it was liaising with key freight customers to ensure that the interim schedule being operated by its freight-only vessel, Goodwill, continued to keep the islands supplied with essential goods.