JERSEY’S ferry services are threatening the survival of inter-island sport and leaving competitors stranded, a sporting organisation has warned in a submission to politicians.
Kennel Club of Jersey vice-chair and show secretary Christine Marett said the loss of a reliable vehicle-carrying link between Jersey and Guernsey had become “a total disaster”, with shows facing growing losses and some smaller clubs at risk of collapse.
“The lack an inter-island vehicle carrier is having a big impact financially on all clubs that take part in inter-island sport, not just dog shows,” she added.
Mrs Marett was writing to the Economic and International Affairs Scrutiny Panel, which is examining the terms of Jersey’s ferry contract to assess whether it will achieve the operational, service and economic outcomes expected by Islanders.
She explained that Kennel Club members depended heavily on ferries to compete in the UK and across the Channel Islands, with around 25% of the club’s members regularly travelling to mainland shows to qualify for Crufts.
But while sailings to the UK were described as “pretty much covered”, Mrs Marett said that DFDS’s inter-island service was lacking
“It is having a big impact on Guernsey and Jersey competitors who cannot travel between the islands with their vehicles for shows,” she wrote.
Mrs Marett highlighted that there are 34 dog shows each year split between Jersey and Guernsey, almost all held at weekends.
A midweek-only service was therefore “useless”, she said, as competitors “cannot afford time-wise and financially to stay a whole week for a one/two-day show”.
“Ideally a vehicle carrying service on a Friday and Monday between the islands would cover most sporting events not just the dog community,” added Mrs Marett.
“Dog shows are making even bigger losses now as the current situation is making it difficult to compete and eventually the smaller clubs will not be able to survive.”
The Kennel Club also criticised the reliability of the new UK timetable.
Under previous operator Condor, Mrs Marett said there was “only one day throughout the year where there was no boat at all”.
By contrast, she said DFDS would operate no sailings on Tuesdays or Sundays from January to March 2026, “putting extra unwanted days on to our members’ trips”.
There were also practical concerns for those travelling with animals.
“There are not enough dog cabins on the Stena Vinga for people,” she wrote, noting that “these get booked up really quickly”.
Mrs Marett explained that one looming test is the Channel Island Dog of the Year show in Jersey on 14 February, with 30 Guernsey competitors and 36 dogs qualified.
“With the current situation we do not know how many will make the competition,” she warned, adding that winter weather could scupper plans for those forced to rely on small charter boats.
The group called for a ferry service six days per week throughout the winter, an inter-island vehicle carrier, and more dog cabins to meet demand.
