Ferry firm too lax about selling alcohol to u18s
AFTER travelling several times this year with Condor and witnessing alcohol being sold to under-18s, I felt the need to put pen to paper and to get investigations made or a letter published in the Guernsey Press.
I travelled in mid-July with my family and another family on Condor to France and alcohol was sold to one of their friends who is only 17. Vodka. No identification or boarding passes were asked for, just sold.
I have just travelled back from a trip to Jersey for the ‘Jersey Weekender’ festival and alcohol was again being sold to the masses of students on board travelling without parents and peers of an older age.
The duty free area was packed with students and I watched from the exterior as sales were being made, again without ID being asked for. Quite clearly the majority of these youngsters were under 18.
On arrival in Jersey and disembarking, the students were met with the strong presence of police and trained sniffer dogs and alcohol was confiscated from the majority of young students.
Evidently, this is a regular festival in Jersey and on chatting to other concerned parents, this has happened many times before over the years. I am outraged that Condor should be so negligent and obviously more concerned about the profits rather than the general welfare of the youngsters.
If it was a one-off circumstance, I could possibly think that it was an untrained member of staff failing in their duties, however, for this to be happening regularly, I think Condor need to answer some serious questions.
NAME AND ADDRESS WITHHELD.
Editor’s footnote: A Condor Ferries spokesman replies:
Condor has in place a robust policy in relation to the sale of alcohol and takes such allegations seriously. We therefore welcome the concerns raised by your correspondent.
Our onboard services manager has confirmed that signage is present in the bars on our three passenger carrying ships regarding proof of age, and all crew are trained to ask for ID if they have reason to believe a customer to be under the legal age for the purchase and consumption of alcohol.
We would hope that adults accompanying minors on board our vessels would restrict and advise them that they are not legally allowed to purchase or consume alcohol.
As far as the specific example quoted in your reader’s letter is concerned, it is difficult to trace but a reminder has been issued to the masters across the fleet reiterating the policy and we will ensure this is strictly adhered to in future.
A spokesman for Jersey Customs and Immigration replies:
Our staff saw a lot of teenagers arriving in Jersey from Guernsey for the Weekender festival, but said they were very well behaved, polite and no alcohol was seized from anyone over the weekend.