The Commodore Goodwill, a freight vessel, is also due to go into dry dock in September and is expected to be out of service for three weeks due to unforeseen additional maintenance work.
Condor Ferries announced their plans for both ferries to be withdrawn from service earlier this year, but the operator has now published a revised timetable which means the Clipper will be out of service a week earlier than planned.
While both vessels undergo repairs, Condor has chartered the freight only vessel MV Arrow to bring in the Islands’ supplies.
The Clipper, which carries freight and passengers, will be out of service for four weeks from 7 September due to maintenance work. The Goodwill will then enter dry dock for repair work for three weeks.
Condor said it would offer passengers a free transfer to the Condor Liberation, which will be providing a daily service to and from Poole, because of the change. Alternatively, passengers who were due to travel on the Clipper can opt for a full refund. The Condor Rapide will be operating her full schedule.
Paul Luxon, chief executive of Condor Ferries, said: ‘Our programme of fleet maintenance is published 18 months in advance and available on our website so both vessels’ withdrawal from service was anticipated, although the additional work to Commodore Goodwill is an adjustment from the existing dry dock plan.
‘While any inconvenience to passengers is regretted, we are providing alternatives to and from the UK and the chartered ship will support our freight operation and commitments throughout the entire refit period.
‘The “asset health programme” we introduced over two years ago has been very successful in predicting and identifying the root cause of potential technical problems across the fleet andas a result of this, we are now able to schedule and undertake repairs at times that least impact on our customers.’
