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Repairs are due to start today which should see Alderney's newest ferry service back in the water before the end of the week.
The owners of The Azula hope the vessel will be running daily between Alderney and Guernsey from Thursday once they have put right a mechanical fault which forced the cancellation of their 'maiden voyage' on Monday.
The Azula, carrying mostly crew, was on its way to Guernsey early yesterday morning when the fault required it to head back to Alderney with the aid of Alderney's lifeboat.
Dan Slimm and Charlie Smith, co-owners of Alderney Ferry Services, which operates The Azula, last night told Express that a new part was needed for the vessel and that it was already on its way.
"We are openly and honestly wanting to provide a reliable link for the islands," they said.
"We sourced a new part within an hour thanks to our local marine engineers, Mainbrayce...it is due to arrive in the island on Tuesday morning."
Pictured: The Azula now hopes to complete its first scheduled crossing from Alderney to Guernsey with passengers on Thursday.
The Azula intends to run four legs daily. Each morning, it will depart Alderney at 07:00 and arrive in Guernsey at 08:30, and it will then depart Guernsey at 09:00 and arrive in Alderney at 10:30. Each afternoon, it will depart Alderney at 16:30 and arrive in Guernsey at 18:00, and it will then depart Guernsey at 18:30 and arrive in Alderney at 20:00.
Once the new part is fitted, the vessel will undergo further sea trials before relaunching its scheduled services.
"The planned launch of our new inter-island ferry service has had to be delayed by 72 hours in order to replace an engine part," said Mr Slimm and Mr Smith.
"After fitting and thorough sea trials over the next three days, we are now aiming for the service to start officially on Thursday 19 May, with our planned schedule of regular sailings."
Alderney States' member Alex Snowdon said he was relieved to learn of the owners' assessment that repairs should keep their vessel out of service for a short time only.
"It was disappointing that this new service could not complete its sailing," said Mr Snowdon. "But fingers crossed that the issues can indeed be resolved quickly so that they can provide a much-needed ferry service."
Pictured: Alderney States' member Alex Snowdon, who also represents the island in the States of Deliberation in Guernsey, wished the owners of The Azula well as they started work to get the vessel back in the water as quickly as possible.
Tickets cost £50 each way for anyone aged 15 or over and £40 each way for anyone younger.
But passengers who now cannot travel while the boat is being repaired and retested will get a temporary discount.
"As a gesture of goodwill to those passengers who have been inconvenienced and had to change their pre-booked crossings this week, we are offering a 10% discount on all those pre-paid bookings," said Mr Slimm and Mr Smith.
They thanked "everyone for their patience and support" and issued "a big shout out to the boys at Alderney RNLI for the rescue".
Alderney has not had much luck with ferry services so far this year.
In April, the States of Alderney announced that its subsidised ferry service would be operated this year by The Salty Blonde. But it has since been suspended because of mechanical problems and is not expected to resume sailings for several weeks.
Picture credit (top): David Nash.
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