Sark Shipping launches faster, more comfortable new ferry
SARK SHIPPING has launched its new inter-island passenger ferry with the promise that she is faster and more comfortable.
The Corsaire de Sercq was built in 2007 and has been operating out of St Malo in recent years.
Sark Shipping managing director Yan Milner said the vessel was licensed for up to 157 passengers, and all feedback had been very positive.
‘She’s considerably younger than our other vessels and for the first time it’s an aluminium boat rather than a steel boat, so she’s more fuel efficient and a lot faster.
‘As a comparison she’ll do the crossing time [between Guernsey and Sark] in roundabout 35 minutes at cruising speed, and that’s without pushing it.
Previously the crossing time was minimum 45 minutes, and mostly 50 minutes to an hour depending on the tide.
‘So faster, more comfortable, and hopefully people will come and down and give it a go.’
The comfortable cruise speed of Corsaire de Sercq is around 16 to 17 knots, but if the crew need to push it to catch up at any time she can do 20 to 21 knots.
A celebration to mark the launch was held in Sark, with residents invited to come aboard their lifeline bridge, have a piece of cake and go on a round-island trip.
With the borders now open to fully vaccinated travellers, Mr Milner said the company was seeing a lot more visitors from outside the Bailiwick.
‘An interesting fact is that our internet bookings on average over the last four or five years have been about 18 or 20% of overall bookings, so really quite low.
‘Last year and this year with the local residents-only market that website bookings figure had jumped to around 75 to 80%, because people have got access to their computers and phones and can easily book on the website.
‘That’s now turning around and we’re seeing a lot more people coming in to the office to book, and you can recognise them as visitors to Guernsey who are taking the opportunity to visit Sark.
‘I’m sure Herm is probably having the same reaction, it’s nice to see it open up.’
Mr Milner wanted to thank everyone in Sark for their ongoing support, and people in Guernsey who were keen to explore the other islands in the Bailiwick bubble.
