Bon Marin's final voyage

Thursday 22 August 2019

One of Sark Shipping's passenger vessels has embarked on its last ever inter-island trip.

The Bon Marin de Serk yesterday retired from service after 36 years in operation.

Isle of Sark Shipping Managing Director Yan Milner said she had been a "workhorse" for the company over the years, carrying passengers between the islands all year round.

He said she would be missed by many, in particular by one of her former skippers, who retired in 2017.  

"It will be sad to see her go. The person who would miss her the most would be Captain John Bougourd. He was involved with the Bon Marin virtually all of his career."

Pictured: The Sark Venture is one of the company's two remaining passenger vessels. (Picture by Chris George)

Her retirement means the company's fleet is down to three vessels - passenger ferries Sark Belle and Sark Venture, and cargo vessel Sark Viking. 

"We are in the middle of a replacement project at the moment," added Mr Milner. 

Commissioned by the company in 1982 and in operation since 1983, the Bon Marin was able to carry 131 passengers in the summer and 98 passengers in the winter.

Pictured top: The Bon Marin