On Air Now Josh Lovatt 3:00pm - 7:00pm
Now Playing Stereophonics Pick A Part That's New

DFDS brings in the Côte d’Albâtre for easter weekend only

DFDS has brought in a replacement boat - the Côte d’Albâtre - to operate the Jersey to Portsmouth route for the weekend, following damage to the Tarifa Jet.

The fast ferry hit the East berth at St Helier harbour on Sunday (29 March), mangling part of the ship's stern and cancelling the outbound sailing to France. 

Read: Ferry hits berth in St Helier harbour

Since then, there has been uncertainty for passengers about their Easter travel plans, while the ferry firm said it was making 'contingency arrangements'.

It has confirmed the Côte d’Albâtre will operate a Jersey to Portsmouth route over the easter weekend on a 'revised schedule.'

Channel 103 has not yet been told what routes will run and when, and their website is not updated.

Passengers will be contacted directly.

The Côte d’Albâtre, will leave Portsmouth for Jersey at 1 pm on Friday, it's unclear if there will be a Jersey - UK service until that ship arrives in St Helier.

We're told the Stena Vinga will begin operating the St Malo route from Thursday evening, and additional departures to France have been added on both Easter Sunday and Monday.

We're told the Levante Jet, which is currently undergoing a planned refit in Dunkirk, is expected to return to service next week to run the St Malo route.

DFDS has not said what will sail to the UK next week, after Easter Monday.

The damaged Tarifa Jet departed the harbour this morning under her own power, although a tug was connected 'as a precaution'.

She is headed to the UK for repair.

Ports of Jersey says its inspections of the East berth have found some damage, but that engineers are 'making good progress' with repairs.

It expects the berth to be back on use in time for the weekend.

Sunday's cancellation followed disruption on Saturday for 'technical reasons', with social media footage showing water ingress through the ceiling of the Tarifa Jet's passenger cabin.

The Stena Vinga rotation to Portsmouth on Monday night/ Tuesday morning was cancelled so the conventional ferry could be used to get people to and from France.

The damage to Tarifa Jet happened just as DFDS was marking one year since it started serving Jersey, and at the beginning of the busy school holiday period.

In February, DFDS suffered a fire in the engine room of the Caesarea Trader freight ship.  The vessel remains out of action.

Read: Ferry hits berth in St Helier harbour

More from Jersey News

Comments

Add a comment

Log in to the club to add your comment.

Channel 103 VIP

Become a Channel 103 VIP and get access to our exclusive Behind The Mic newsletter!

Just Played Songs

Jersey Weather

  • Wed

    12°C

  • Thu

    11°C

  • Fri

    13°C

  • Sat

    15°C

  • Sun

    14°C