New ferry service might have bumpy start - Farnham

Jersey's chief minister Lyndon Farnham said the first weeks of the new ferry schedule would be a "little bumpy"

Jersey's chief minister has warned islanders to expect the first weeks of the new ferry schedule to be a "little bumpy" as he defended his handling of the tender process.

Deputy Lyndon Farnham said it would take DFDS "time to settle the timetables" and "learn how we like to operate".

In an interview with the BBC to mark his first anniversary in the job, Farnham also said details of plans to fund projects, such as the new hospital and the refurbishment of Fort Regent, would be made public next month.

He said the plans aimed to address a "dereliction of investment" over decades.

The chief minister defended his government's handling of the ferry tender process

The joint ferry tender process with Guernsey ended with the islands going their separate ways, as Jersey opted for Danish firm DFDS and Guernsey chose Brittany Ferries.

Farnham said Condor had served the island for decades but it was time for a new start.

"I think that short-term inconvenience will benefit us in the medium- to long-term," he said.

"It is time for a change and it will be a little bumpy, they always are when new ferry services come into play, and it's going to take them time to settle the timetables down the fleet learn how we like to operate.

"We have the lifeline freight services, that's not going to be done in five minutes... it will be a bit of a bumpy ride for a few months."

'Smooth sailing'

Jersey route director for DFDS, Chris Parker responded by saying both ferry firms were working together with Ports of Jersey to make the transition "as smooth as possible".

He added: "My hope is that there isn't that bumpy ride - or at least it's not visible.

"We need to be like a swan - where there's a lot of activity under the water but it's smooth sailing above."

'Important process'

When asked if the uncertainty caused by the ferry tender process had affected the optimism some people had for his government, Farnham said: "No, I don't think that at all.

"I think some islanders might have been frustrated at the process but many, many islanders will understand that it's an important process."

The chief minister disagreed he could have shown more leadership.

Economic Development Minister Deputy Kirsten Morel also faced intense scrutiny.

Farnham said: "I provided support as I do for all ministers and came forward and led with Deputy Morel as we got to the end of the process.

"I might take more of a back seat in relation to putting myself in front of the camera because I'm too busy for that.

"I would rather focus on getting things done than make videos of myself every five minutes."

Farnham said details of new plans to fund projects like the new hospital would be made available in March

Speaking about the infrastructure plans, the chief minister said Project Breakwater would be led by Health Minister Tom Binet.

However, there are no details on how the project will be funded.

Farnham said costed plans would be revealed to the public in March and ministers including the treasury minister would be briefed shortly.

"That's one of the mistakes we've made in the past, we've announced projects without having a way to pay for it and then they've tended to flounder," he said.

"So when we do deliver it we are aiming to have a fully funded, fully detailed proposal."

Farnham said the different ideological views in his Council of Ministers was a strength of his government

Farnham also praised differences on the Council of Ministers, suggesting their range of views were a strength rather than a weakness.

"When we disagree, we debate more and that leads to better decision-making," he said.

"All of the ministers, whatever their political views are mindful that we're all working for the best interests of islanders and not for our ourselves."