Absence of Fast Ferry Back-up Raises Concerns for Former Guernsey Harbourmaster

Peter Gill, who previously served as Guernsey’s harbourmaster, has voiced concerns regarding the absence of a standby fast ferry in Brittany Ferries’ forthcoming schedule. Despite this reservation, Gill stated his belief that the 2025 Brittany Ferries timetable was “very pragmatic” and would ensure a service for Guernsey. On Tuesday, Guernsey’s States is scheduled to finalize a 15-year agreement with Brittany Ferries for the operation of its sea connections. Brittany Ferries has been approached for a statement. Captain Gill held the position of Guernsey’s harbourmaster for an eight-year period, from 2005 to 2013. He posited that the newly introduced, more frequent services to St Malo might not generate significant demand outside of peak seasons. However, he expressed certainty that the service exclusively for Guernsey would circumvent what he considered a major challenge for local operators: tidal limitations at St Helier’s harbour in Jersey. He commented, “The new arrangement will be better for staff at Guernsey Harbours, they won’t have to be working to the tidal restrictions in St Helier.” According to the revised timetable, a fast-ferry service will operate weekly to Jersey, an arrangement Captain Gill described as “pretty similar” to the service presently offered by Condor. The fate of the Commodore Goodwill and Condor Liberation remains uncertain at this time, though Captain Gill has proposed that the Goodwill could potentially be deployed on the Cherbourg to Ireland route, presently served by the Clipper. Brittany Ferries’ updated schedule incorporates the Condor Voyager and Condor Islander, with the Commodore Clipper designated as a reserve vessel. Concurrently, the Government of Jersey is conducting a new tender process to identify a provider for its maritime connections.