Islands Unlimited had to delay the launch of its much anticipated inter-island service with less than a day’s notice after weather conditions earlier this week held back its berthing trials in Jersey.
The San Pawl arrived in Guernsey a couple of weeks ago and was said to be ready to enter service today.
However, late yesterday afternoon the new ferry firm emailed passengers who were booked to travel between Guernsey and Jersey today and tell them the sailings were cancelled.
Islands Unlimited initially said that there have been “delays to our operational readiness, which has impacted our ability to complete our obligations as required by the relevant authorities”. It was later clarified that this related to the delayed berthing trials carried out in St Helier yesterday.
The ferry firm had been due to carry out its berthing trials in St Helier earlier this week, but it said yesterday that this had been delayed by the weather.
“Regrettably, due to the weather earlier this week, we have only been able to trial the ship in Jersey today and had hoped that all of our operational preparations would have been completed in time for tomorrow. Unfortunately, this is not the case and we have to delay our commencement date,” wrote the company on Facebook.
The start date for the new inter island service is now due to be Thursday 5 June.
Anyone who was booked to travel between 30 May and 4 June has been contacted directly and refunds have been offered and arranged where necessary.
“We apologise wholeheartedly for the inconvenience this will cause our valued customers,” said the Islands Unlimited spokesperson.
Islands Unlimited launched earlier this year as an alternative for anyone wanting to travel inter-island after the breakdown in the ferry tender process led to Guernsey and Jersey choosing different providers.
As the inter island service was not part of the tender process, it fell through the gaps when the details were being confirmed between Guernsey and Brittany Ferries, and Jersey and DFDS.
There is currently only one sailing per week between Guernsey and Jersey, on a Wednesday, offered by Brittany Ferries.
Guernsey’s former Harbourmaster launched Islands Unlimited to fill that gap, he said.
“We want to meet the needs of islanders, as well as visitors,” Captain Chad Murray said earlier this year.
“Following stakeholder engagement, this offers the best fit for the communities, commuters, local business, sport and events, as well as offering great day-trips for visitors to support tourism.”
After its intentions were announced earlier this year, Islands Unlimited focused on launching during the Spring.
Captain Murray secured £150,000 from the States of Guernsey to support the start up and the new ferry firm bought the San Pawl – a 316 seat foot passenger only ferry.
The schedules include morning and evening sailings most days of the week and increased frequency over weekends to feed demand from visitors and residents.
Other businesses, including Water Taxi CI, have offered alternative charter sailings today and over the weekend to help passengers out who need to travel inter island.