Liberation made its final voyage from Jersey this weekend as Condor prepares to conclude its operating agreement with the island later this week.
The 102-metre trimaran, which is capable of carrying up to 245 cars and nearly 900 passengers, departed Elizabeth Harbour on Sunday afternoon before heading onwards to Guernsey and Poole.
Danish shipping firm DFDS will take over as Jersey’s ferry operator from this Friday 28 March.
The end of an era
Originally built in Australia, Liberation arrived in Jersey for the first time in March 2015, having sailed more than 10,000 nautical miles over 22 days from Cebu in the Philippines, where it was being fitted out, to its base in the UK.
Its name, which was chosen to mark 70 years since the end of the Occupation of the Channel Islands, was selected by a panel after more than 7,000 suggestions were submitted as part of a competition organised in conjunction with the Jersey Evening Post and Guernsey Press.
Alongside Voyager, the Liberation formed part of Condor’s high-speed fleet sailing between the Channel Islands, the UK and France.
A ship that will be “hugely” missed
A number of islanders and visitors reacted to Liberation’s final departure on social media, with one commenting: “Brilliant memories, as a family always had safe voyages. Fair well.”
Another wrote: “We are going to miss the Condor Liberation and its crew!
“Always felt very safe with you all. I wish you all a good future in your new jobs.”
One commenter added: “Fond memories! This was always part of our Jersey experience. It won’t be the same as taking a slow ferry, I’ll miss it hugely!”
A further comment read: “Been a great asset to Jersey be a shame to see it go, won’t feel the same next time we visit.”
New horizons
Purchased by Condor in 2015 for £50 million, Liberation is now being sold, with a listing appearing on the Shipselector.com marketplace earlier this year.
It comes as the operator prepares to conclude its operating agreement with Jersey later this week after Danish firm DFDS won the new contract for freight and passenger services.
Condor has further sailings with its other vessels scheduled until Thursday, with DFDS preparing to start operating from Friday.