Tourism concerns dash ferry hopes

Uncertainty over the future of tourism in the Bailiwick of Guernsey means that Sark Shipping will not be considering a new ferry.

The company has just commissioned a £500,000 additional freight vessel.

The vessel will be built in Wales and should be finished in about nine months' time.

The purchase will mean there will always be a back-up boat when either of Sark's other two ships, the Venture and the Bon Marin, are out of service.

Sark Shipping boss Peter Drake is ruling out a ferry for the time being.

He said: "If the trend for reduced numbers was going to be reversed, maybe we would consider a new boat.

"But we don't think there's going to be an increase in passenger numbers."