Herm Island pulls its passenger ferry service
THE Isle of Herm Ferry has ceased all operations from today, leaving Travel Trident as Herm’s sole ferry operator.
The surprise move follows more than two years of tense relations between the two companies, after the contract between the businesses ended.
Herm’s management bought a ferry in 2021 and encouraged those staying in its accommodation to use the service instead.
A new five-year contract has now been signed following negotiations between the two companies that will see Trident in action every day of the year, except Christmas Day.
The contract between the two entities collapsed during the early stages of the pandemic and saw Trident pull most its winter sailings in 2020.
It led Herm to commission its own ferry, which came into service in September 2021.
‘There are not enough passengers or qualified crew to support two ferry operators,’ a Herm spokesman said.
‘Herm was not seeking to profit from its new ferry, nor to disrupt Trident’s business, but simply to ensure there was a guaranteed service in place.’
Trident stopped winter sailings in 2021 after a breakdown in communication between the company and Herm management.
It will now continue its normal daily sailings from April to October, including evening sailings every Thursday, Friday and Saturday from mid-May to mid-September, with two daily sailings from November to March.
This will increase to three on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays in the winter.
‘Now, with a renewed contract, Herm will withdraw its service in the comfortable knowledge that Trident will serve guests, residents and staff during winter and summer, as indeed, post-Covid apart, they have for over 50 years,’ said a Herm spokesman.
The Isle of Herm and its back-up boat the Herm Lass will be laid up until a decision is made to sell them, with the Seahorse cargo ship continuing its regular transportation of large goods.
The company is also hoping to provide employment for staff currently employed on Herm’s ferries.
Herm Island staff will now return to providing a porter service for all guests arriving on Travel Trident – a service that was pulled for Trident passengers earlier this year.
Despite the poor relations, Trident stepped in to carry Isle of Herm passengers at the start of the spring bank holiday weekend, after crew illness saw the island’s boat sailings cancelled.
Travel Trident has offered services between Herm and Guernsey for more than 50 years.
Trident was approached for comment.
