New Guernsey to Alderney Ferry Begins Tomorrow

Thursday 12 July 2018

After years of asking and talking about it, a regular ferry service between Alderney and Guernsey could become a reality after tomorrow.

A trial is being carried out, subsidised by the States of Alderney to the tune of £70,000 offering twice daily rotations over the next 11 weeks.

The 12-seater boat being used in the trial; “The Spike Islander”, is owned and operated by Alderney Shipping. It was purchased from Holland, where it had been carrying out a similar role.

Employee Janette Bouracier said everything had come together rather quickly for the service to be able to start on Friday 13 July.

“It was cleared by the Alderney States five weeks ago. Literally from that point, the boat has been bought, come over from Holland to the Isle of Wight last Sunday or Monday, where it had all its checks done and the logo put on it, and then it arrived in Alderney last night (Tuesday).”

Pictured: Some of the information held on the littleferrycompany.com website 

Tickets can be purchased online at littleferrycompany.com, she said, and so far they were going well.

“Over the course of the 11 weeks, there are 3,693 seats available. We have had 195 reservations to date, but there will be more people than that as it could be families booking. There is a day in Alderney week where we are fully sold out. 

“The motivation for doing this came from our managing director Bruno. He has been involved in the company for 30 years, and Alderney is very important to him – there seemed to be a need for a [transport] solution, but no one was coming up with one.” 

Although only slated for an 11-week trial, the company would not rule out increasing it.

“We are open minded. People have never really had, certainly for a long time, the ability to do a day return between the islands. Hopefully it really demonstrates the inter-island travel, and will work for both people in Guernsey and Alderney. The support so far has been phenomenal,” said Ms Bouracier.

Pictured: Some of the fares and timetables available during the trial of the new Alderney ferry service which launches on Friday 13 July

Alderney Policy and Finance chairman James Dent said there was significant funding from the States, but that it should prove a boon to local industries.

“It is about a £500 [subsidy] per rotation, so it is quite substantial. I would say success would be 70% to 75% full. As soon as we get the data, we will make a decision about the trial success. So far the reaction has been very positive. I am sure people will visit Alderney, and that a number of residents will take the opportunity to visit Guernsey.”