HD Ferries
 | |
| Industry | Passenger transportation Freight transportation |
|---|---|
| Founded | 2007 |
| Defunct | 2009 |
| Fate | Dissolved |
| Headquarters | St Helier, Jersey |
Area served | Channel Islands |
HD Ferries was a fast catamaran Channel Islands ferry service between Jersey, Guernsey and Brittany. HD Ferries had daily departures (six crossings per day; average crossing time per leg of just one hour) from the port of Saint Helier (Jersey) to St Peter Port (Guernsey) and then to St Malo.
History
HD Ferries was established in January 2007 following the cessation of Emeraude Lines in November 2005. Earlier, Condor Ferries and Emeraude Lines were the only two services operating in the region. The States of Jersey, States of Guernsey and Regional Council of Brittany required an additional ferry service to meet the demand for passenger and freight travel between the Channel Islands and France. The Jersey authorities had been attempting to encourage other companies to start a rival service to Condor, to maintain a competitive environment.[1][2]
The HD Ferries vessel named HD1 is an Incat K series which is a high speed catamaran with top speeds of 45 knots. The HD1 vessel can support 400 passengers, 100 cars or 70 cars and 10 freight vehicles.
In June 2007 HD Ferries announced that it planned to incorporate Alderney and Cherbourg into the route. Following a berthing trial in Alderney harbourmaster Steve Shaw gave HD Ferries the go ahead subject to certain conditions. The Alderney service never started.
HD Ferries made its first successful sailing to Cherbourg on 6 August 2007, marking the start of its new twice weekly service between Jersey/Guernsey and Cherbourg. The HD Ferries service grew its presence within the Channel Islands with an increasing amount of local residents, holiday makers and freight drivers using the service on a daily basis.
During its short history, HD Ferries were involved in two collision incidents with Condor Ferries whilst the competitors' ships were alongside.[3][4]
Due to lack of customers, the Cherbourg link was soon dropped in favour of a direct link with Guernsey to St Malo. The direct St Malo to Guernsey link was dropped mid-August 2008 after about two months operating.
HD Ferries proposed plans to operate a service alongside Condor Ferries on the northern routes to the UK mainland but this was another failure and never happened. The company would have had to secure at least one additional vessel to enable this.
HD Ferries ceased all services from 7 September 2008, after giving customers who had booked tickets 4 days notice. The company claimed that they would return in 2009.
HD Ferries said on 12 February 2009 that "there are currently no sailings scheduled for 2009" - although they advised customers to check for updates regularly on the company's website.
On 16 February 2009, HD Ferries officially announced that they would not be returning, leaving a parting blast at the Jersey authorities claiming a lack of support.
References
- ^ "French car ferry service to start". BBC News. 3 January 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2007.
- ^ "New ferry still needs ramp permit". BBC News. 4 January 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2007.
- ^ "Ferry collision master suspended". BBC News. 14 May 2007. Retrieved 15 August 2007.
- ^ "Ferries cancelled after collision". BBC News. 29 July 2007. Retrieved 1 October 2007.