The company, which had numerous problems with its vessel HD1 last year, is working round the clock to prepare the ship to sail next Thursday.
Yesterday she was towed by tug into dry dock in Portsmouth for impellors – a key steering tool similar to propellers – to be fitted.
A joint inspection of the ship by UK and French marine regulators was due to place this morning.
Crossing
Sailings of HD1, which can carry 400 passengers and 100 cars on each crossing, are fully booked on Thursday, Friday and Saturday. There are two sailings to St Malo each day and one to Guernsey.
Meanwhile, when HD1 does return to service, it will be temporarily operating without a ramp permit issued by the Island’s Economic Development Minister.
The permit will be issued when new laws come into force soon and HD will then be legally obliged to comply with certain standards of service or face having its ramp operating permit withdrawn.
Last year HD’s sailings were seriously disrupted when one of the vessel’s impellors was damaged. A new one had to be made as there was no replacement part available anywhere in the world.
Without the impellor the vessel was difficult to control in heavy seas and was involved in a series of collisions, one of which was with Condor Express in the Elizabeth Harbour in July.
The company stopped operating last November, saying that it needed proper time for repairs to HD1 to be carried out. In addition, it wanted to ensure that it complied with all regulatory issues, including the qualifications of masters.
HD spokesman Phil Jones said that the company ‘remained optimistic’ that it would be able to restart sailings next Thursday morning at 7 am from Jersey to France.
He conceded that it would be a tight deadline to meet. ‘We have to do whatever we have to do. We are addressing what has to be addressed,’ he said.
But he added that there were plans for alternative arrangements if HD1 is not ready.
‘We are looking at rebooking people on other services and we have also explored the possibility of another ship,’ he said.
Mr Jones said that it was ‘too early to push the button’ on any alternative plans. ‘We are not blind to the fact that we may not make the deadline, but I think we are much better prepared than perhaps we have been in the past,’ he said.
The politician with responsibility for sea transport has written to HD managing director Chris Howe-Davies to ask for an update on the position.
Assistant Economic Development Minister Alan Maclean said: ‘I also asked for information on what provision there will be for travellers if there are difficulties.
‘It is very concerning for anybody due to travel and very concerning for the Island over an important holiday weekend.’
Meanwhile, the company is seeking a change to restrictions on the wave heights in which HD1 can operate. If the company is successful, it should mean fewer sailings being cancelled due to sea conditions this year.
