Clipper in dry dock early
ISLANDERS hoping to travel to the UK on the Commodore Clipper next month should expect disruption – the vessel is going into dry dock earlier than planned.
The Goodwill, a freighter, is also due to go into dry dock in September and is expected to be out of service for three weeks due to unforeseen additional maintenance work.
Condor Ferries announced plans for both ferries to be withdrawn from service earlier this year, but the operator has now published a revised timetable which means the work will happen a week earlier than planned.
The Clipper, which carries freight and passengers, will be out of service for four weeks from 7 September and the Goodwill will then also enter dry dock for repair work for three weeks.
Condor CEO Paul Luxon said: ‘Our programme of fleet maintenance is published 18 months in advance and available on our website so both vessels’ withdrawal from service was anticipated, although the additional work to Commodore Goodwill is an adjustment from the existing dry dock plan.
‘Whilst any inconvenience to passengers is regretted, we are providing alternatives to and from the UK and the chartered ship will support our freight operation and commitments throughout the entire refit period.’
Condor has said it will offer passengers disrupted by the change a free transfer to the Condor Liberation, which will be providing a daily service to and from Poole.
Alternatively passengers can opt for a full refund. The Condor Rapide will also be operating its full schedule.
‘The “asset health programme” we introduced over two years ago has been very successful in predicting and identifying the root cause of potential technical problems across the fleet and, as a result of this, we are able to schedule and
undertake repair work at times that least impact on our customers,’ Mr Luxon added.
