Crowd-funded inter-island ferry service idea proposed

Dave Piesing said a service was needed that ‘put our needs first’.

Mr Piesing has contacted Manche-Iles, which last month emerged as the States’ preferred operator of an extended service, about its current timetable and plans to enhance it.

However, from the discussions he has had, he believes there will not be ‘many or even perhaps any additional sailings at weekends through the summer’.

As a result, he is exploring whether other islanders would be interested in setting up their own company.

‘With the current Manche-Iles inter-island timetable for 2018 being so poor for Guernsey and Jersey residents, and with any potential expanded service not looking as though it will improve the situation, it seems clear that the islands really need to take full control of this service, without islanders’ interests being secondary to those of operators from outside of the islands,’ he wrote on Facebook.

‘Subject to putting together a detailed business plan, one way of achieving this could be to set up a Guernsey company to operate a dedicated and viable service.’

The service he has touted would require up to £2m. of capital from residents of both islands, with a minimum investment of £500, entitling the investor to a voucher for one free return inter-island trip per year.

The company would enter into leases for two suitable ferries, to operate up to four day return sailings between Guernsey and Jersey during spring and summer and a reduced service in the winter months.

Speaking yesterday, Mr Piesing said a good amount of interest had already been shown in his Facebook post.

He said he had also been approached by several people ‘acting on behalf of wealthy individuals’.

‘We have all been sitting back and waiting to learn the outcome of the tender process, but the service provided would be of no use to islanders generally.

‘It is already March so it may not even be possible to set it up for this summer, but even if we could get something off the ground this year that could provide the foundations to launch a service next year.

‘Deep down I know that if we are going to have a service that is suited to the island’s needs, it has to be controlled by islanders.’

Mr Piesing hopes that if enough capital could be raised through crowd-funding, the States of Guernsey and Jersey might consider investing in the company.

It would not be the States running the company, if either or both were to invest, but an independent board of directors.

n To provide feedback on Mr Piesing’s plans, visit his Facebook post at http://bit.ly/2tduRkL. You will need to log in to your account.