Regular Alderney to Guernsey ferry link to begin in May

Mr Meinke said he was confident his catamaran would cope with most weather conditions

A regular ferry service is to be established between Alderney and Guernsey from 1 May.

Dan Meinke, the owner of new company Bumblebee, said he was expecting to take delivery of a 32ft motor catamaran which would take 12 passengers.

In addition to scheduled, one-hour crossings, he said he planned to offer charters and fishing and diving trips.

Manche Iles Express ran an occasional inter-island service in 2011, but has confirmed it will not do so in 2012.

Mr Meinke said he had high hopes for the new, custom-built vessel.

"She's very smooth riding and very stable, so she will cope with most weathers," he said.

Mr Meinke will skipper the boat himself but he said other local pilots had been lined up to keep the service running in case of illness.