Storms and strikes stunt Condor sailings

Friday 11 January 2019

A combination of storms and the upcoming public sector strikes have resulted in several cancellations and disruptions to Condor ferry sailings.

With predicted wind speeds of 30mph, the ferry provider says that it will be outside its safe operating limits and so has had to cancel sailings between St. Malo and Jersey on Saturday and Sunday.

Affected sailings include Saturday's 09:05 departure from Jersey, and the 18:15 from St. Malo and 19:30 return, and the round trip on Sunday, which is scheduled to leave at 18:30 from St. Malo and return from St. Helier at 19:35.

The bad luck continues for the ferry provider into Monday.

Strike action from States of Jersey employees has resulted in Condor being "forced" to alter its schedule, with sailings at 08:00 and 12:30 now being combined into a single sailing at 11:50, which will be re-routed via Guernsey to allow passengers to arrive in Jersey after clearing customs in St. Peter Port.

Pictured: CEO Paul Luxon said the ferry provider was "disappointed" that the industrial action had affected sailings on Monday.

Condor Liberation's route will therefore be: Jersey to St. Malo, St. Malo to Guernsey, Guernsey to Jersey, Jersey to Guernsey, and then Guernsey to Poole.

CEO Paul Luxon described the disruption as frustrating and inconvenient for passengers, but said that measures were being put in place to help passengers.

"We are disappointed that the action being taken at such short notice is affecting the travel of our passengers," he said.

Ahead of tomorrow and Sunday's weather-related issues, Condor's customer contact centre is now notifying passengers of space on alternative sailings. All customers are being offered free transfers or a full refund.