Apology as Clipper sailings cancelled

Monday 21 July 2014

Condor has cancelled another week of sailings on the Commodore Clipper to repair damage caused when it hit the sea bottom just outside of Guernsey.

At the time of the accident a week ago, the ferry company said that it would take a week to put right. They now say that the vessel is in dry dock in Falmouth for investigations and repairs and that all Commodore Clipper sailings between now and 27 July have been cancelled.

The ferry is believed to have scraped the sea bottom in Little Russel – the channel running from Herm to Guernsey.

Condor chief executive James Fulford said: “I’d like to apologise for the inconvenience and concern that our passengers will feel and to reassure people that we are working tirelessly to resolve this situation.

“We would like to thank you for your patience and to reassure you that there is sufficient capacity to accommodate you on our fast ferries to get you to your destination.

“We have teams in place who are contacting customers and although we know the uncertainty is difficult please try not to call us but wait for our teams to contact you.

“Please may I ask those booked to travel on Commodore Clipper after 27th July not to contact us now but to await the update on Monday after which, if necessary, we will contact you directly.”

The company has recently confirmed it is going ahead with purchasing a new £50m ferry, after winning a decade-long deal with the States to provide services. It says the new high-speed ship will reduce weather cancellations by 90%, and sick bag use by 70%.