A long-awaited ferry service has been launched for people in Alderney.
Island-based Alderney Shipping has set up sea links to Guernsey and the UK after transporting numerous locals who had become stranded on the mainland as a result of the volcanic ash cloud.
Bruno Kay-Mouat, Alderney Shipping's managing director, said the service would begin immediately.
"We've been thinking about taking passengers for a while. Various people have asked us to look at it, including the States, Chamber of Commerce and numerous islanders. It has also been reported recently that the flights were full over Easter while most hotels were empty, so clearly there's a market.
"The volcano has meant we have carried lots of people recently, all free of charge, and that brought it to the forefront of our minds. As a result we've decided to begin a seasonal service between April and September. We are ready to take passengers now."
Mr Kay-Mouat went on to outline the cost and timetable.
"An inter-island one-way fare will be £25, while a return will be £40. A trip to the UK will cost £65, while a return fare will be £110.
"The boat will sail from Poole to Alderney on Monday afternoons, with the return journey taking place on Wednesday afternoons. Passengers will be able to travel to Guernsey on Tuesdays and return the following day. A dozen people will be able to travel on each sailing."
Passengers will set sail on Isis - a cargo carrier which until recently operated on Alderney Shipping's Netherlands freight link.
Mr Kay-Mouat said: "We've swapped the Isis and Burhou around, as the Isis is approved for passengers. The Isis was previously used on our Rotterdam route, while Burhou operated between the islands and the UK."
Mr Kay-Mouat went on to say the Isis is not a luxury vessel designed to take passengers.
"The Isis is a freight ship - it's not a cruise liner. This is about getting people on and off Alderney and supporting businesses at the same time."
John Beaman, the States member responsible for tourism, said: "This is excellent news for Alderney. Any additional transport links are always welcome. It is to be hoped this helps more people get here in order to boost the tourism industry.
"I wish Alderney Shipping all the very best. Hopefully this turns out to be a great success."
Andrew Eggleston, president of Alderney Chamber of Commerce, said: "Any other form of communication to get on and off the island has to be looked on favourably.
"The Chamber is totally behind this - especially given the lack of planes and the fact the airlines seem reluctant to put on extra flights. Another form of transport has to be good news."
12 comments on this article
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Gareth | Wed 4th August 2010 Thanks Pinky, but I have tried Huelin & Renouf Shipping but they don't take the people with the cars.
I heard about the Hummer debacle while I was in Alderney a couple of weeks ago. Why anyone would want to bring a Hummer to Alderney is beyond me, I certainly would even try.
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pinky | Tue 27th July 2010 Hi Gareth, if not happy with Alderney Shipping have a look at the Huelin & Renouf Shipping web page, they can import cars from Southampton on a weekly basis, providing your car is not a Hummer!!!
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Gareth | Tue 27th July 2010 It's interesting to read these comments. I would like to take a car over to Alderney but this seems practically impossible. I am prepared to put up with a less than comfortable cargo vessle and the sight of my car being swung on and off the ship but I have no wat to find out when the sailings are, how much they cost, how long the sailing takes or how to book. I even went to Alderney Shipping's port-a-cabin at Braye harbour yesterday and although the door was open, there was no-one there. I could have ransacked the place but there was nothing to ransack!
I am a member of a car club and it would be nice if a group of us could visit Alderney with our cars but it very much looks as though we would not be welcome.
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Pete | Fri 28th May 2010 It looks like this site doesn't get updated anymore either. I see that there is over 3 comments still awaiting approval for nearly two weeks now...lol
and back on topic I think that this ferry service is a good idea however it does need to be advertised properly and only having a capacity for about 12 pasengers unfortunately won't make much of a difference to tourism
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David Bandit | Thu 27th May 2010 When will this service start running? Also, whom do we contact for further details?
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Pin | Wed 19th May 2010 Yeah their website really wants an update... ;-)
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Hawk | Sun 9th May 2010 I looked up Alderney shipping to find web site has not been updated since 2006 and there was not info or booking for the so called new service, what is going on.
DW
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DayDream Believer | Fri 30th April 2010 Transportcommand
Alderney may have had a ferry service for the 18 years but at what cost. About 3 three years ago whilst visiting the island my wife and I booked to go on a day trip on the Maris to Sark, cost £84.
If as you say 'no one is coming to Alderney' i suggest you all look closer to home as to the reasons why, people cannot afford it.
Reduce prices for day trips, charge reasonable rents on accommodation, stop the 'hidden' cost on self catering like laundry costs etc and tourism will flourish.
Unfortunately the more tourists that come the more your island will change, more jobs, more income and the all that other trappings that come with commercialism, you cannot
have it both ways. Take your pick.
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veritas | Thu 29th April 2010 According to the contract Alderney Shipping have with the states of Alderney they should have been providing this service for many years but have decided to ignore it..........
Can we say desperate for publicity!
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Doug | Thu 29th April 2010 transportcommand - Maybe the marketing of the services you mention needs an overhaul? If there is no awareness who's fault is this? The public or the service provider?
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transportcommand | Wed 28th April 2010 Alderney Finally gets a Ferry Service?? Yet again the Journal gets it wrong!
We have had ferry services running throughout the last 18 years (Capriole, Jung Frau, Clanamara, Lady Maris of Braye, and currently Voyager and Lady Maris II). These have been offered to the Alderney public despite a lack of support or awareness both from the Journal and the States Tourism Officer. No wonder no one is coming to Alderney if they are as lacking in information as elsewhere with Alderney's advertising....Come on....Support the LOCAL services....!!
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Doug | Wed 28th April 2010 Isn't it amazing how a little competition fosters ingenuity and creativity?
In fact competition seems to be essential for the progress of most economies and our small island economy is appears no different.
The Journal believes this is an opportune moment to conduct a survey of the States. The aim is to help the States, its members and those who are considering standing for election. Click here to vote!
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on Tuesday 31st August and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors.
Mon 6th September 2010 AHOHA (Aldeerney Hard of Hearing Association)
Short AGM followed by a Talk and PowerPoint presentation:'Sri Lanka - Recovery from the War in Jafna - a Personal Experience' by James Dent., Jubilee Home, 14:30 to 16:00
Mon 6th September 2010 Alderney Music Society - Tom Poster (Piano)
Tickets from Sara Fisher (Next to Reynards), Anne French Room, 20:00
The Journal's first States Survey
The Guernsey Bereavement Service has made three visits to Alderney over the past few months and would like to continue to help you. We are visiting the island again on Tuesday 31st August and would invite anyone who feels they would like Bereavement Counselling to telephone the Bereavement Service Office on 257778 to make a time to meet one of our counsellors. 