Ministers from Jersey and Guernsey have suggested that the ferry company lease a boat owned by Brittany Ferries, believed to be the Cherbourg-based Normandy Express.
The £50 million Condor Liberation has been dogged by technical difficulties and cancelled sailings since it came into operation a year ago.
Commenting on the matter, Senator Lyndon Farnham said that Condor had been asked to look at ‘more solid contingency’ plans for when crossings are cancelled but said that rumours that the Normandie Express could be in service by Easter were down to ‘Chinese Whispers’.
He said: ‘Ministers from Jersey and Guernsey have been in close contact with Condor throughout the events of last week. It has been suggested that Condor look at a more solid contingency plans.
‘It was identified that Brittany Ferries may have a vessel available for a short period of time for charter. We urged Condor to explore that opportunity and that’s what they are doing.
‘There’s been no confirmation. Condor have been very co-operative and are doing whatever they can to restore confidence in their services. They are looking very seriously at this.’
He added that chartering a vessel would not be a quick process and they would need to make sure it could manoeuvre in Jersey’s port before doing so.
