The inter-island passenger service was due to launch yesterday, but late on Thursday that was put back a week.
In the meantime, local charter firms Water Taxi CI and Bailiwick Boat Charters have stepped into the breach to move some of the disappointed travellers.
‘It’s unfortunate to learn of the delayed start to the Islands Unlimited schedule,’ said Water Taxi CI founder Max Boleat.
‘We fully support the initiative shown from the team at Islands Unlimited in providing a locally-run ferry operated for local people.’
He said that ethos aligns closely with his own in better connecting the Channel Islands from his base in Jersey. Between them, the two firms are planning to run trips over the weekend and on Monday.
‘I am hoping this hasn’t hurt their [Islands Unlimited] reputation,’ said Andy Carre, director of Guernsey-based Bailiwick Boat Charters, who took passengers back and forth between the islands yesterday.
‘These things can happen in this business, and we are happy to be there to provide back-up. It’s been very busy, and we are putting in long shifts on the phone answering calls,’ he said.
‘Unfortunately a lot of customers had non-refundable hotel bookings, and they were very thankful to be able to make their trips.’
The two companies are working together to move as many people as possible. As of last night they were fully booked for Sunday but planning to run two round trips between Guernsey and Jersey and one Alderney sailing today.
One of the groups that has fallen foul of the Islands Unlimited cancellation was the Rovers Football Club U16s team, which is due to play a cup final in Jersey on Sunday in the final match of the local season.
Club secretary Chris Lihou said that the team had rebooked with Water Taxi, but as stronger winds are expected on Sunday which might affect the ability of smaller boats to run, there is a chance the trip would be cancelled.
‘We are due to be playing in the Eric Amy Cup final,’ said Mr Lihou. ‘We have 19 parents and 18 players all ready to go. It is disappointing that the docking trials [for the Islands Unlimited vessel San Pawl] were only done on Thursday.’
He added that the lack of inter-island ferries was really hitting sporting competitions between the islands.
‘We have played other matches in Jersey and the travel has been a nightmare,’ he said.
‘We have had to stay overnight at times and sometimes fly, and for sport that cost is prohibitively expensive. One trip cost £4,500 just for the team. With Condor it was £20 a head. It’s actually easier to get to Dublin now than Jersey, and I know its exactly the same for Jersey teams wanting to come here.’
Unfortunately if the team can not make it on Sunday, the match might never get played, he said.
‘Springfield Stadium, where the match is being played, is due to get ripped up next week, and the contractors are on standby to start,’ he said. ‘That would mean playing next season, but as an under-16s team a lot of our players would have moved on, and it will be the same for the opposition.
‘It could all be one big conspiracy from Kirsten Morel [Jersey’s minister for Sustainable Economic Development] to make sure a Guernsey team doesn’t win the cup,’ he joked.
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