Alderney’s Salty Blonde looking for another boat

Following another breakdown of the Ashlin on Monday, the island’s other operator, Alderney Ferry Services, stepped in to help.

Adding to travellers’ woes was foggy weather hitting the airports, so Alderney Ferry Services has ended up moving both sea and air passengers.

Passengers were taken on by its 12-seater Causeway Explorer and additional sailings were put on.

‘We’re running up to four rotations a day to help Aurigny and Salty Blonde passengers get to where they need to be,’ said Charlie Smith from the company.

‘Yesterday [Monday] we transferred over 80 people and anticipating to do more today.’

Salty Blonde said it was sad and disappointed that its boat had suffered more problems.

The company started operating in April but had to stop in early May, starting again in mid-June.

Company director Tracey Farquhar-Beck said that as of yesterday the company was still in the dark about the fault with the boat and could not say how long it might be out of service.

Before the Ashlin went into service, it had to have a survey carried out which it passed.

‘But you can’t see inside the engine,’ said Mrs Farquhar-Beck.

‘We were told these engines were good for at least one or two years and they’re not.

‘It’s like buying a car, you just don’t know.

‘It’s just bad luck.

‘This boat is great for these waters but on reflection it doesn’t have the correct engines.

‘We are actively looking for another boat.’

Salty Blonde had invested in Alderney Ferry Services to help the company to get started.

‘From both of our points of view it’s always good to have two boats,’ she said.

‘Working together to help get passengers where they need to be is our priority, our skippers and crew are happy to work the longer days to help achieve this,’ said Miss Smith.

‘It was always part of our business to be reliable and professional and Causeway Explorer is the perfect vessel for these seas.’