Condor Liberation damaged

Condor says it was 'pleased' to be able to show Jersey's Economic Development Department its contingency plans earlier this week.

The government met with the ferry company this week to talk through technical issues which caused disruption to thousands of travellers over the Easter break.

A meeting has taken place between the government and Condor to talk about the ferry firm's recent travel disruptions.

Jersey's Economic Development Minister, Senator Lyndon Farnham met with the company in what he is describing as a 'productive' talk.

They discussed the service getting back up and running and resolving its technical issues.

It comes after thousands of passengers had to change their travel plans over the Easter weekend because of difficulties suffered by its new £50million ship, the Condor Liberation.

Condor Ferries has written to customers affected by recent disruption to say sorry.

The firm says problems caused by bad weather, technical faults, and the collision of its new Liberation ferry in St Peter Port was "unimaginable bad fortune."

Condor says the last fortnight has been difficult and that no one is more disappointed than them about recent events.

The letter praises staff who Condor says "have worked so hard to get our customers to where they need to be."

The company promises to do better in future.

Condor have apologised for leaving around 60 passengers at Jersey harbour.

They were unable to board the new Condor Liberation because of problems with the hoist for the vessel's vehicle deck earlier this morning. Once the delay was combined with the outgoing tide, the ship was forced to leave without 24 of its vehicles.

24 cars and around 60 passengers have been left stranded at Jersey's harbour after they could not be loaded onto the Condor Liberation.

The problems arose when the hoist for the new £50m vessel’s vehicle deck was found to be faulty this morning in Poole. This then delayed sailings and when combined with the outgoing tide in Jersey, meant the vehicles could not be loaded.

Condor says they have offered the passengers, who were on their way to Poole, to either travel on the 21.20 service to Portsmouth, or to stay in Jersey overnight and catch tomorrow’s Liberation sailing.

Today was supposed to be the first day the vessel has sailed at the normal schedule for more than two weeks. On its second voyage at the end of last month, the ship was put out of action after it was was damaged in Guernsey's Harbour. It has since suffered a number of setbacks which have resulted in cancellations and delays.

Find out the latest travel information here.

The Condor Liberation has departed slightly behind schedule this morning.

It left Poole at 10:11 - 41 minutes late - on its way to Jersey, before heading to Guernsey.

Today is the first day the new £50m vessel has sailed at the normal schedule for more than two weeks. On its second voyage at the end of last month, the ship was put out of action after it was was damaged in Guernsey's Harbour. It has since suffered a number of setbacks which have resulted in cancellations and delays.

Find out the latest travel information here.

The Condor Liberation is expected to return to its normal schedule tomorrow.

Repairs to the engine have been completed earlier than expected.

The Liberation will be tested this afternoon at full speed on its journey to the UK this afternoon and following a successful voyage the boat will operate at full speed tomorrow.

Condor has rescheduled its sailings tomorrow as the Liberation is running at a reduced speed.

Work to correct an electrical fault on the Liberation's forward engine is continuing.

The boat will miss the first call of the day in to Guernsey.

For revised times see the Condor website.

The Condor Liberation will sail to Guernsey but not onwards to Jersey today, due to repairs needed to the engine.

That inter-island service will now be run by the Condor Rapide.

Disruption to today's sailing of the £50 million new ship means it is now 13 consecutive days of difficulties for the Liberation.

The changes come amid uncertainty regarding the repair time with the engine control unit.

Day-trips from Jersey to St Malo and day-trips from Poole have been cancelled as part of the revised schedule.

Freight services will operate as normal as Commodore Goodwill and Commodore Clipper are unaffected.

Day trips from Jersey to St Malo and day trips from Poole have been cancelled due to the Condor Liberation running at a reduced speed.

Condor Rapide will replace the Liberation for inter-island services.

Condor say the Liberation developed an electrical fault, which affected part of the engine, while on her voyage from Guernsey to Poole yesterday evening.

Condor passengers have experienced 12 days of disruption since the £50 million Condor Liberation was damaged in Guernsey's Harbour last month.