Liberation reliance risks cut-off from the UK
I FEEL (as many do) that the UK ferry link is of vital importance to our island, both for islanders needing to get to the UK and tourists who wish to visit us. Therefore I am really concerned that we have allowed Condor Ferries to reduce the number of fast ferries from two catamarans to just one trimaran. Unfortunately for all of us (and Condor) this ferry is not fit for purpose.
You just need to read the recent headlines in your paper over the last couple of months:
1. New Condor ferry out for repairs after harbour bang.
2. Berthing wind limit for new Condor is agreed.
3. Liberation is not going anywhere.
4. Condor Liberation is running four hours behind schedule.
5. Condor's Weymouth link will be missed say OAPs.
6. Condor passengers stranded in Jersey.
7. No Liberation due to berthing limits.
8. Anger as cars doused in salt water on board Condor ferry.
9. No fast ferry to UK again today.
10. Liberation slowed by engine problem.
11. Jersey's economic minister criticises Condor's lack of contingency plans after ferry disruption.
This is now getting serious (remember this 'new' vessel is actually five years old and should not be having any teething problems).
The Condor Liberation has not even been in service three months and all the above headlines show it is not providing a proper service to the UK.
Jersey States has called Condor's chairman in front of them for a meeting on the disgraceful level of service and it is time our States did the same.
Condor may say they cannot keep a second fast ferry in reserve – but they used to run two fast ferries before and still make a profit.
We need to tell Condor to reintroduce the Condor Express on the Weymouth route (contrary to general belief, the
final sale of this vessel has not yet
gone through and it is still available in the UK).
If you look at Condor's forward schedules, the Commodore Clipper is out of service between 6 September and 10 November and we are completely reliant on the Liberation (which as we know doesn't even leave Poole harbour if it is windy).
This puts any reliable passenger/car links with the UK at risk.
Furthermore, in the first 10 days of November the Condor Liberation is only scheduled to call at Guernsey four times – this means for six days in early November Guernsey is completely cut off, with no passenger or car service to the UK.
Any weather problems will make it even worse.
It is completely unacceptable that Guernsey is treated in this manner and the States of Guernsey should insist on the reintroduction of the Condor Express as a matter of urgency.
C. RYAN,
Les Traudes,
St Martin's.
Editor's footnote: Alicia Andrews, Condor's executive director – commercial, responds:
'Thank you for giving me the opportunity to respond to your correspondent.
Condor Ferries shares your reader's understanding that our ferries are vital to the well-being and prosperity of the Channel Islands.
To this end, everyone at Condor is committed to keeping the islands connected and supplied by delivering robust, year-round lifeline freight and passenger services.
We are extremely aware of the disappointing start to Condor Liberation's service to the islands and are working hard to ensure that these teething problems are put behind us as quickly as possible.
The 86-metre high-speed ferries were coming to the end of their useful lives and it was important to find a replacement. Condor Ferries has invested over £50m. in Condor Liberation because we strongly believe that she represents the future of ferry travel for the Channel Islands.
Our investment has been made without any recourse to public funding and is a strong indication of the confidence we have in the Channel Islands as a popular destination for visitors and businesses alike.
In the autumn, the conventional ferries Commodore Clipper and Commodore Goodwill will enter dry dock in order to have scrubbing equipment installed in their exhaust systems.
The successful completion of this work will mean that the ferries are able to provide islanders with a more environmentally friendly and more efficient service.
During this period, we intend to charter MV Arrow to provide extra freight services and Condor Liberation will provide passenger sailings to the Channel Islands. We have developed robust contingency plans to deal with any problems should they arise.
Condor Ferries works closely with the governments of both islands and keeps them informed of all elements of the islands' ferry services.
We will continue to work closely with the States of Guernsey and Jersey as our partners in the delivery of year-round lifeline ferry services to the islands.'
