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States in talks with Islands Unlimited about its grant

THE States are in talks with Islands Unlimited about how it might use the remainder of the taxpayer grant funding set aside for the ferry company for this summer season, now that it has stopped operations early.

THE States are in talks with Islands Unlimited about how it might use the remainder of the taxpayer grant funding set aside for the ferry company for this summer season, now that it has stopped operations early.
THE States are in talks with Islands Unlimited about how it might use the remainder of the taxpayer grant funding set aside for the ferry company for this summer season, now that it has stopped operations early. / Guernsey Press

Economic Development pledged £75,000 in support this year for inbound marketing activity, which is paid in arrears.

‘We’re currently in discussions with Islands Unlimited in light of the technical failure and how the remainder of this grant might be used,’ said president Sasha Kazantseva-Miller.

Last week the company brought its season to an early end following a major failure of the starboard main engine on the San Pawl.

It said there had been a ‘catastrophic failure’ of a manufacturer’s component, which could not have been predicted through routine inspection or maintenance, and that the time needed to source, fit, commission and test a replacement engine meant the San Pawl would not be ready to return to the water before the season was due to end.

‘The engine failure is unfortunate, and we sympathise with anyone affected by travel cancellations and also with the company, as a technical fault like this can be impossible to foresee but nevertheless have a significant impact on all parties,’ said Deputy Kazantseva-Miller.

‘Islands Unlimited remains an important part of improving our inter-island links.’

The company said it had carried more than 30,000 passenger movements during the summer, including trups to Alderney for the first time for Alderney Week, which, it said, showed the demand for regular and affordable travel between the islands.

The company has started the process of refunding customers who had booked up to the scheduled season’s end.

It said it was refunding all customers in chronological order and was looking to refund all ticket holders within seven days of their travel date. It said there was no need to email requesting a refund.

‘This will only slow down the process,’ it said.

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