Standby ferry service costing islands £1m a month

The Arrow has been used in the past by Condor Ferries as a back-up vessel

Guernsey and Jersey are jointly spending £1m every month on standby ferry facilities, according to Guernsey authorities.

Policy and Resources president Deputy Lyndon Trott told the BBC the spending was required to ensure a back-up ferry service was in place in case of emergencies.

An agreement to charter the 122m (400ft) long ship, the Arrow, which is based in the Isle of Man, was reached earlier this year.

The BBC understands the vessel, one of several ships earmarked for possible contingency purposes, could be used to get supplies on and off the islands.

"You have to plan for the worst and hope for the best in politics," Trott said.

"That brings with it certain expenses that we all wish we could avoid.

"You have to imagine how damaging things could get if we found ourselves in a crisis situation."

The Arrow is owned by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company and is currently based in Douglas. It can carry 66 14m (46ft) trailers and accommodate 12 passengers.

It was built in 1998 and is sailing under the flag of United Kingdom.

The company has been approached for comment.