- Condor Ferries has warned passengers they could be banned if they are drunk and rowdy
- It follows two recent instances when trips were disrupted by day-trippers
- Condor has written to passengers warning them they could be refused travel
- Have you ever had a crossing disrupted by rowdy passengers? Take our poll below
CONDOR has warned drunk, rowdy and intimidating passengers that they could be banned from travelling – following two recent disturbances.
In one incident, French border police barred a small group of day-trippers heading back to Jersey from getting on board at St Malo because they were too drunk. And in a second incident, football fans caused a disturbance on board the Commodore Clipper while travelling back to Jersey from Guernsey.
Condor has now written to the passengers involved in the incidents, stating that anyone who is abusive towards other passengers and staff or who is drunk could be refused travel.
The incident on board the Clipper involved fans who were travelling to Jersey following St Paul’s 2-1 away win in the Portsmouth Trophy under-18 Upton against Guernsey Rovers on Saturday.
Today, Mark Sheldon, president of St Paul’s, said that although the fans were singing songs in support of the team, they were not connected with the club.
He added: ‘It was nothing to do with the club. There were people in the bar singing songs. They had nothing to do with the football club. We can’t be held responsible for the party.’
No-one was arrested in connection with either of the incidents.
Captain Fran Collins, executive director of operations at Condor Ferries, said: ‘We will not tolerate inebriated or inappropriate behaviour and know that the authorities both in France and on the islands take the same view.
‘Passengers should be aware that they will be refused travel if they display such behaviour and the authorities may refuse them entry into the country if they act in such a manner upon their arrival.
‘This kind of behaviour may also prejudice the safety and enjoyment of their fellow passengers.’
The company warned that if anyone is refused boarding because they appeared to be under the influence of alcohol or drugs or because they were abusive or disruptive, would have to pay for their own accommodation and new travel arrangements.
She added: ‘There is no doubt that the vast majority of our passengers behave in an appropriate manner and we want to reassure them that we will not tolerate a small minority spoiling the travel experience for the many.’
A MAN was fined in 2013 after fulfilling a lifelong dream – by jumping off a Condor ferry.
The 19-year-old was fined £250 after pleading guilty to disorderly conduct and was looking for an ‘adrenaline rush’ when he jumped off the Condor Rapide in the Harbour, the Magistrate’s Court heard.
The court heard that police were called to the Harbour just before 7.30 pm on 19 July after receiving reports of a disturbance on the ferry.
The court heard that the defendant was looking for an ‘adrenaline rush’ when he jumped from the Condor Rapide into the sea and swam to the shore after the ferry had arrived in the Harbour.
The man had been travelling on the boat with his boss, who also jumped into the water because he feared for his employee’s safety. The man was was then arrested by Customs staff.
He told the court replied: ‘I always wanted to do it and I thought that was the right time and safest time. ‘I was just having a bit of fun and didn’t think anything of it.’
He added that he ‘enjoyed it but would never do it again’.
