Ferry cancels rest of season over engine problem

A ferry company has taken the "difficult decision" to end its season early to avoid passenger uncertainty after problems with its only ship's starboard main engine.

Islands Unlimited said it would take too long to source, install and test a replacement engine part for the 316 seat high-speed passenger catamaran San Pawl.

The daily service between Guernsey and Jersey, with weekend sailings to Alderney, was due to run until Sunday 18 October, but was halted last week.

Islands Unlimited said the cause of the problem was found after extensive technical investigation and it recognised "the disruption and disappointment this will cause, particularly for passengers with upcoming travel plans".

Operations manager Jack Kitching said: "This was an unexpected and unforeseeable technical failure, and our team has explored every realistic option to get San Pawl back into service.

"Unfortunately, the timescales involved in sourcing and installing a replacement engine now extend beyond the end of our planned season."

The service was launched in 2025 and recorded more than 30,000 passenger movements in 2026.

Kitching said the company fully intended to return in 2027 and would complete the necessary engine replacement and associated works over the coming months and "build greater resilience into our operation".

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