The Liberation is currently undergoing repairs in Poole after it was damaged while trying to berth in Guernsey in strong winds last weekend.
Condor has since drafted in the conventional ferry, the Commodore Clipper, to operate additional sailings on the Poole route and has chartered the MV Arrow to continue the freight link between the Channel Islands and Portsmouth.
- Condor Express was built by Incat Australia, Hobart, Tasmania, in 1996
- It is 86.6 m long and 5005 gross tons.
- It can reach a speed of 40 knots.
- Condor Express can carry 776 passengers and 200 cars.
- It first arrived in Poole on 15 January 1997, for services to the Channel Islands from Weymouth and Poole.
And the company has now announced that the Express, which is due to be sold to a Greek ferry firm and is currently berthed in Weymouth, is to be brought back to operate two cross-Channel sailings to and from Poole on Good Friday.
However, Condor says that the vessel, which is being prepared ahead of the sale, has limited shopping and catering facilities.
The Condor Liberation suffered damage after unsuccessfully trying to berth in Guernsey Harbour on Saturday at the end of its second commercial cross-Channel sailing.
Condor initially hoped that the vessel would be repaired in ‘a couple of days’ but strong winds have caused delays to the work.
Sailings were cancelled on Monday and Tuesday, with the Commodore Clipper being diverted from its usual Portsmouth route to cover the Poole to Channel Islands crossing.
Condor confirmed that they have met senior port officials from Guernsey and Jersey to discuss their contingency plans and that the company will keep the MV Arrow until the weekend.
Captain Fran Collins, executive director of operations at Condor, said: ‘No-one is more disappointed than we are that the combination of the very unfortunate incident at the weekend and some really severe weather has caused this disruption in Condor Liberation’s first week in service.
‘It is particularly saddening after the wonderful welcome which she received in the Islands last weekend.
‘We are working around the clock to have her back in service as soon as possible and are very grateful to our customers for their patience and understanding.’
Meanwhile, Economic Development Minister Lyndon Farnham, who previously expressed concern that he had not seen full contingency plans but has since declared that he was satisfied with the way in which the situation has been dealt with, has said that he is pleased that the Express is being used on Friday.
He said: ‘Members of my team at the Economic Development Department and the Ports of Jersey have been working with Condor Ferries and our colleagues in Guernsey to agree the best way to support the ferry service while sailings are disrupted by the bad weather and the incident which affected Condor Liberation at the weekend.
‘I am very pleased at the speed and commitment with which Condor has enacted a thorough contingency plan, including chartering a freight ship and bringing Condor Express back into service for Good Friday.
‘We look forward to seeing Condor Liberation back in service this weekend.’
Affected passengers are being contacted.
