Commodore Clipper to return to dry dock

Both vessels spent time in dry dock in September and October for planned maintenance

Two Channel Island ferries will spend more time out of the water after delays in fitting emission-cutting equipment.

The pollution-reducing scrubbers were due to be fitted while the Commodore Clipper and Commodore Goodwill were in dry dock, but they were not ready.

The Clipper will be in dry dock from 4 November to 14 December, but no date has been set for the Goodwill.

It will be replaced by extra sailings to Poole by Condor Liberation and the chartering of a freight vessel.

Condor Ferries said it would offer affected customers a refund or alternative travel.

Captain Fran Collins, from Condor Ferries, said: "We are obviously extremely disappointed that the scrubbers, which are required to meet new EU Regulations on sulphur emissions, could not be fitted as planned during our conventional ferries' routine dry dock periods.

"These are major, complex engineering installations unique to each ship."

MV Arrow will be chartered to carry freight to the islands for five weeks

No date has yet been set for the Commodore Goodwill to be fitted with the scrubbers

She said the Clipper would be out of the water "at a time when passenger numbers are relatively low".

The firm has also released details of its contingency plans for planned maintenance or unexpected disruption, which includes running the Liberation or Condor Rapide on a through UK-Channel Islands-France service.