States 'confident in ferry firm'

HD Ferries had several problems during its first week

The Jersey politician in charge of sea travel says he is sure HD Ferries will soon sort out some of the problems that hit sailings in its first weeks.

Last week sailings to France were cancelled for operational and mechanical reasons. Weather caused cancellations on Monday.

Deputy Alan Maclean said he was optimistic the company would provide a high level of service.

The company has also entered under a new service agreement with the States.

'Teething problems'

As part of the agreement, the company has to refund passengers who cancel because their ferry is delayed by more than four hours.

Politicians also have a say in the schedules, fares and type of boat used by the new ferry operator from Jersey to St Malo.

The agreement is for one year until 14 March 2008.

Mr Maclean, assistant minister responsible for sea travel, said the States was still "very enthusiastic" about HD ferries and that having a second operator on the route was very much in the public interest.

He said: "Clearly any new operation is going to have teething problems.

"I'm sure the company will get them sorted out very quickly and operate the high level of service that we would expect and that the public would expect."

The twice-daily service from Jersey and daily crossing from Guernsey is running from March to September.