Guernsey Press

Fix ferry link or you will lose another tourist

MY FAMILY have enjoyed many happy holidays in Guernsey over the last 45 years, sometimes twice a year and maybe 50 trips in total.

Published

My wife and I and our young dog have just had a wonderful holiday in July, enjoying sunshine, heat and all Guernsey can offer for four weeks.

Our journey home was a disaster.

Booked on the 16.25 sailing from St Peter Port on Friday 26 July, we joined the car check-in queue at 15.00. At 17.00 we were advised that Condor Liberation was ‘broken’ and would not sail that day. Asked for our options, we were informed Sunday at 16.40 would be the next available.

This information meant a hotel cancellation up country on Sunday evening as the journey to North Yorkshire can be challenging. Cancellation charges apply. Fortunately, we still had our apartment at The Bay available for Friday night, however we then needed accommodation for Saturday night and fortunately the OGH came to our rescue, albeit at considerable expense. They were wonderful.

We spent much of Saturday limited as to what to do considering our dog’s needs and where to put the car.

Following a text message, we learnt that the 16.40 departure was now 21.40. Several calls to Condor offices seeking confirmation of departure times on the Sunday went unheeded. A walk to the offices found them closed for lunch until 14.15.

Waiting outside until they opened, we were informed that the 16.40 was now definitely 21.40 departure. This clearly would require a hotel booking for Sunday night, which the Thistle Hotel in Poole was able to provide.

Arriving at port for check-in at 20.40 on Sunday, we were gradually allowed on board, only for the captain to announce a slight delay meant departure would be 22.30 with arrival in Poole at 03.00.

Some 20 minutes into the journey, the captain announced he had had to shut down one of the engines, which would result in further delay and the ETA was now 03.30.

We arrived at the Thistle Hotel in Poole at 04.00 on Monday and faced a seven- to eight-hour journey home.

Condor really do need to shake themselves up. This isn’t the first time we have been affected by cancellations and it really does not help selling Guernsey as a holiday destination.

I fail to understand how they can hope to provide a responsible service with one car ferry. No one can expect to run a responsible taxi service with one taxi.

I offer the above in the hope that something will be done to improve matters before I too walk away.

DENNIS HUDSON

Address withheld.