ISLANDS Unlimited “remains an important part” of efforts to improve inter-island sea links, the president of Guernsey’s Economic Development Committee has said after an engine issue forced the ferry firm to end its 2026 season early.
Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller’s comments followed an announcement by the Sarnian operator that there had been a “catastrophic failure” of part of the starboard main engine aboard its San Pawl vessel.
Islands Unlimited operations manager Jack Kitching stated that, while the company was “naturally disappointed” that its 2026 season had ended earlier than planned, “our commitment to the Channel Islands and the future of inter-island travel is as strong as ever”.
“Our focus now turns firmly towards 2027,” he explained. “The coming months will allow us to complete the necessary engine replacement and associated works, while also giving us the opportunity to build greater resilience into our operation and take everything we have learned from this season forward with us.”
Islands Unlimited is one of the ferry operators involved in a working group formed last year to help bolster efforts to improve inter-island travel.
The group also includes Manche-Iles Express, Brittany Ferries and DFDS.
Following questions from the JEP, Deputy Sasha Kazantseva-Miller described San Pawl’s engine failure as “unfortunate”.
“We sympathise with anyone affected by travel cancellations and also with the company, as a technical fault like this can be impossible to foresee but nevertheless have a significant impact on all parties,” she continued.
“Islands Unlimited remains an important part of improving our inter-island links, and we are in dialogue with them to understand what can be done to ease the impact on customers.”
