Condor Ferries 'knows it has to improve the situation'

The Condor Liberation is "safe", but "the company knows it has to improve" when it comes to issues that have affected the new boat, according to Guernsey's External Transport Group (ETG).

The Group, including Ministers and Deputy Ministers, met with the Executive Chairman of Condor Ferries, and senior managers.

The ETG says it's been in almost daily contact with the Condor Ferries team since the Condor Liberation crashed into the Quay at St Peter Port Harbour.

Deputy Kevin Stewart, ETG Chairman, says Condor shares the frustrations of the public, and that they "did not invest £50 million in a new vessel and expect, or by neglect allow, the level of problems to occur that have beset Liberation".

Deputy Stewart says he appreciates many Condor customers have concerns about the safety of the new boat to operate in the Channel. But he says the Liberation meets the industry's safety standards.

However, the ETG does say that the Condor Liberation is continuing to have problems with timekeeping, which relate to loading and unloading issues, rather than its speed in the water.

Condor Ferries will update the ETG in two weeks time, on the progress it's making with this issue: