Why so keen to take to the water?

But it’s not just islanders, and indeed, most deputies, save the few who were in the Civil Contingency crisis meetings, who are still in the dark. The boss of Condor Ferries admits that he doesn’t know why, or how, the States invoked emergency powers to help pay for his new ship. Especially when he had other options lined up for funding the purchase.

John Napton says that Condor was surprised at the level of enthusiasm from the States of Guernsey to assist with purchasing a new ship to provide what he considered to be much-needed resilience. Particularly when the attitude from Jersey was quite different.

Maybe an island with EasyJet and British Airways battling for bums on seats doesn’t particularly have cause to be worried about transport security. ‘There’ll be another one along in the morning,’ they might say.

Evidence to date points to significant enthusiasm from our States for buying a ship – but why, and whether that is to mirror our Aurigny experience or to improve it, we don’t know.

Islanders might also be surprised to learn that, beyond a share of the asset, a return on money loaned, and a commitment for lifeline services, Guernsey won’t see any particular benefit from the deal. It might still be good for the island, but it is clear that the States still have many questions to answer, not least over its enthusiasm for owning infrastructure.