There are no Sunday sailings and no sailings on alternate Wednesdays in the new timetable, which runs from Monday 3 November to Friday 29 March.
Two days a week offer two sailings to and from the island, however, all other days only have one rotation, which departs within 90 minutes of arriving, ruling out day trips.
Conseiller Frank Makepeace said the schedule was more than an inconvenience – it was a ‘breakdown of basic connectivity’.
‘Islanders are being prevented from attending medical appointments in Guernsey, and potential visitors are being denied the chance to make day trips to Sark, cutting off both community life and tourism income,’ he said.
‘These cuts are not the result of sound planning or financial prudence.
‘They are the product of panic politics – rash, illogical decisions made by inexperienced politicians with little understanding of the island’s real needs.’
As well as days with no services, Conseiller Makepeace said Tuesday and Thursday services will be ‘in-out’ runs operated by the cargo vessel, which carried just 12 passengers.
Last year’s winter schedule had boats every day and the current autumn schedule offers at least two rotations every day of the week.
One Sark business owner, who asked not to be named, said Isle of Sark Shipping had become a ‘shambolic mess’.
‘The schedule as it is, is not a lifeline but a noose around our necks,’ they said.
‘Isle of Sark Shipping seems to be very out of touch with the needs of the community, not only does it affect bookings but we also do a lot of mail orders. Now there are alternate Wednesdays with no sailings whatsoever which means that if we get an order on Tuesday, we cannot post it until Thursday.
‘We have tradespeople coming and going and family and it cuts us off in so many ways.
‘They simply need a smaller boat for the winter and for use when passenger numbers are low. This would save so much money and allow more frequent sailings.’
In a statement the company had said the revised timetable would allow it to undertake vessel maintenance and do more staff training.
It has been a troubling time for the company, which is wholly owned by Sark’s government.
Last week all of its non-executive directors resigned after being warned that senior politicians in Sark were preparing to remove them.
Accounts published earlier this year showed Chief Pleas’ investment in Isle of Sark Shipping remained at £720,054 at the end of 2024, including a long-term loan of £269,054.
No capital repayments had yet been made and interest of £6,054 was charged during the year.
An extraordinary general meeting of the company has been called for Monday 13 October with all islanders and conseillers invited, but no published agenda.
Yesterday the company announced that due to the high level of interest in the meeting, an additional evening session on a date to be arranged would be organised for those unable to attend.
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