The slow boat was out of action for a short while after some of the mechanism for its ramp broke down, meaning the vehicle entrance and exit to the ship was locked shut.

When the breakdown happened right before Christmas, some passengers’ cars and freight lorries were stuck on board. But while those were able to be craned off the Clipper, no more vehicles could board in the usual manner, so it has been restricted to freight ever since. 

At the end of last week, on the 3 and 4 January, the Clipper went alongside the port in Portsmouth so repairs could be done, and the Arrow was brought in by Condor to cover its freight services. 

The work was initially meant to be done by today, according to Condor’s CEO, Paul Luxon, but it had to be pushed back by a day. He said the Clipper will now return to full service early on Tuesday, rather than Monday, to give time for the ramp repairs to be fully tested.

Condor said it had already informed its passengers of this sllght change. 

Pictured top: The Condor Clipper.