Select a region
Bailiwick residents will be able to travel between Alderney and Guernsey by boat again this summer with the return of a 12-seater ferry service.
The Little Ferry Company will run twice daily between Alderney and Guernsey from May 24, which is earlier than when the service started last year.
The sea service returns after that trial operation last year saw most sailings sold out. Their vessel, the Spike Islander, accommodated 3,491 passenger movements to and from Alderney across an 11 week run – suggesting that around 1,750 people made return crossings between the islands.
With a day return costing £50 and a period return fixed at £60, ferry prices compare favourably with the cheapest Aurigny flights between the two islands. Flights start at £48.99 each way.
The modest ticket prices are largely thanks to a hefty subsidy from the States of Alderney, who are keen to improve the island’s connectivity beyond existing air links.
The island’s Policy & Finance Committee agreed to cushion the service's operation to the tune of £130,000.
James Dent, chairman of Alderney’s Policy and Finance Committee, insisted that the income to the island that the service generated would exceed the States spend.
"Customer surveys suggest that at least 58% of travellers would not have made the journey if the ferry had not run,’ said Mr Dent. ‘More than a quarter of the people who travelled to Alderney were first-time visitors to the island and many visitors from Guernsey made the trip for the first time in many years. Policy & Finance took into account the positive impact on Alderney’s economy which demonstrated that, with an average visitor spend of £42 per day, the impact on Alderney’s economy outweighed the cost of the States subsidy."
The Little Ferry Company is a partnership between Bruno Kay-Mouat, Managing Director of Alderney Shipping, and Isle of Wight based Nick Sice, MD of Faversham Ships.
Mr Kay-Mouat said starting the season earlier posed challenges but that strong local support would help the service float.
"It was a very short season but we were lucky with the weather last year and the travelling public was very understanding," he said.
"We were looking at using a larger boat this year but licensing restrictions for a larger vessel were too onerous. We think the Spike Islander is a good vessel for the service. We have given it a refit and overhauled the engine and given it a good general clean.
"Starting earlier in the season will mean filling it will be a bit of a challenge earlier on and we will have to see what the weather is like, but we’ve learned a lot from last year.
"Our goal is to give the same personal service as last year and see lots of new and return visits to Alderney."
Helene Turner, Director of Tourism for the States of Alderney, said the ferry had provided a welcome boost for local businesses and enhanced the experience of visitors to Guernsey.
"Guernsey visitors used the opportunity to embrace island hopping and incorporate Alderney into their Channel Islands visit. We very much look forward to welcoming Guernsey residents and visitors to our island once again this summer and we are excited to see our local businesses again feel the benefit of the link."
Crossings from Guernsey to Alderney are at 09:00 and 18:00, seven days a week. Sailings from Alderney to Guernsey are at 07:30 and 16:30.
Comments
Comments on this story express the views of the commentator only, not Bailiwick Publishing. We are unable to guarantee the accuracy of any of those comments.