Herm and Trident negotiations hit the rocks

Wednesday 18 November 2020

Travel Trident said it is “here to stay” after its “harmonious working relationship” with Herm Island has apparently “faltered” – but it appears that Herm’s management will be seeking competitors for its ferry service in the future.

Residents of Guernsey and Herm have relied on the Travel Trident for passage between the islands for almost 52 years, but their working contract expired during the early stages of lockdown.

Negotiations for a new contract began in early September; neither side brought any "bad feelings" to the table, both felt that the terms of the previous decade-old contract were "not fit for service."

With the strain of the pandemic felt deeply on both sides, Trident Managing Director Peter Wilcox felt that they were a "country mile apart" on one another’s needs at the start of the process.

Mr Wilcox has since said the draft contract proposal presented by Herm's management was “unrealistic”, and highly likely to come at a cost to Trident and its passengers.

Pictured: Travel Trident says it will continue to operate a ferry to Herm Island - but its Managing Director has suggested that they could soon face competition for the route.

Mr Wilcox said that Trident “can only hope to rebuild what [they] once had,” but appeared to have some grievances with Herm's current management.

“The previous tenant was able to show profit, treated its visitors with respect, offered quality service and value for money,” he wrote, adding that he still felt that the island itself was “enchanting and magical.”

“I sincerely hope that you will continue to support Herm Island whatever the outcome, in doing so you will be supporting Trident. In my opinion we need each other to succeed. Competition from others will give you a choice, quite possibly a good thing, a challenge we must accept and overcome with your support.

“I would like to take this opportunity to reassure our valued customers that Trident will continue operating a boat service to Herm Island, as we’ve done so since man first landed on the moon.

“With your support, the service will continue for many years to come.”