A NEW daily foot passenger ferry service between Jersey and Guernsey is due to begin operating next month.
Islands Unlimited said that the 316-passenger vessel had now completed its annual maintenance and inspections in Malta, with the service due to begin on Friday 30 May.
Captain Chad Murray, the chief executive of the ferry operator, said the vessel had passed its required out-of-water surveys and safety maintenance with no issues.
“We will continue to operate her as an internationally certified passenger ship, in the same way the previous owners have done,” Capt Murray said.
“I have been really pleased with how the works and surveys have gone, resulting in a clean bill of health for another year.”
Since acquiring the 90-tonne high-speed catamaran from Virtu Ferries, the Islands Unlimited team has been undergoing handover and familiarisation training.
“We are really pleased with the ship,” Capt Murray said. “While she is old in terms of age, her previous operator, Virtu Ferries, have clearly looked after her throughout her life and she continues to offer a safe and reliable option for inter-island foot passengers.”
The vessel will be transported from Malta to Guernsey in early May aboard a heavy lift ship.
