The end of an era as the Living Legend finally shuts its doors The centre, which opened on the site of the former Strawberry Farm in 1992 THE Living Legend – a once-popular tourist attraction enjoyed by hundreds of thousands of holidaymakers a year – has closed. Not many places (if any) left for us tourist to buy the very low quality very high priced tatty rubbish in the "Sale" which lasts all season. They should restore the "Strawberry Farm" to its former glory. http://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2016/01/26/the-end-of-an-era-as-the-living-legend-finally-shuts-its-doors/ Fewer technical issues for new ferry expected in 2016 The £50 million vessel is currently in dry dock in Falmouth THE technical problems which have plagued Condor Liberation since it came into operation almost a year ago should be significantly reduced in 2016, one of the firm’s directors has said. You may be forgiven for thinking that in ...
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The "Liberation" flagship of the Condor Ferries fleet Condor Liberation On a lighter note, but certainly not lighter for any passengers or people intending to be passengers on Condor Liberation over the next few weeks, “Liberation”, the (almost) new £50million flagship of the Condor Ferries fleet has broken down, again. A series of faults and accidents has plagued this ship since her maiden voyage in April of this year. The latest on the list is damage to the exhaust system which required "complex" repairs. The net result is that Fridays sailings were cancelled, weekend services were disrupted (and there was a protest at Poole ferry terminal which resulted in the police being called) Tuesdays service is cancelled and Mondays service leaves Poole at 03:00 for two crossings in the day, finally retuning to Poole at 01:30 !! The sailings for Tuesday onward are “to be advised”. This ship is clearly jinxed and should be either sold on to a...
A nice ship, but a shame about the onboard organisation Condor Liberation. Condor Libertion, the new (well almost new) addition to the Condor fleet, is a fine ship, bigger than Vitesse and Express operating out of Weymouth, which it replaces and with a larger vehile capacity. The lounges provide panoramic views from comfortable seating and with even more comforts in the "Traveller plus" and "Club" lounges. There I am afriad, all praise finishes. There may have been reasons for the chaos on the crossing of 10th April 2015. For example, the Liberation collided with the docking peir in Guernsey on her maiden voyage out of Poole on the 27th March and was taken out of service for over a week for repairs to the hull. Then, upon returning to service, she deloped and engine fault with a further fault on the forward engine control unit which apparently has to be replaced with a unit being...
Holiday Inn Express. Poole. Holiday Inn Express. Poole As frequent travellers to Jersey in the Channel Islands,we have often used the Holiday Inn as a nightly stop over for the early morning ferry service. More so now as the Condor Ferry organisation has left Weymouth and now operates only from Poole.Having booked accommodation some months previously, we arrived on Thursday (9the April) afternoon to cathch the Condor Liberation the next morning. (Now there is another story). As a member of the IHG Club, the usual formalities had already been completed and all we needed to do was to sign the registration documentation. The first suprise was that I was presented with another bill for an extra £5 for "car parking" overnight. In all my experience of Holiday Inn visits, I have never been charged to park the car! The £5 cost is neither here nor there as it is the principle which is important, particularly as the reason for this new charge is that "the landowner has in...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hcKkFVDGpT0 Condor Ferries new "Safety Video" Are we really going to have to endure this rap (apologies for missing off the "C"), blaring out of the PA system on every trip? On balance I think that I prefer the rather childish animation complete with cavalry trumpet sounds for the rescue ship racing to the "emergency event" and the rather sinister bearded gentleman moving around the ship leaving the suspicion of being "a terrorist" in his wake. Condor Liberation I appreciate that Condor Liberation is a new addition to the fleet and probably needs to have the safety video refreshed, but why not try just giving the information instead of resorting to juvenile gimmicks and and cringe worthy video's?
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/11420375.Condor_Ferries_to_leave_Weymouth_next_spring/?ref=var_0 Condor purchase new high speed Austal 102 trimaran The "new" Condor Ferry:: Austal’s 102-metre trimaran Why should anyone be shocked and surprised by this story? On the 19th April I blogged this entry. http://new-agenda2012.blogspot.co.uk/201 4/04/the-writing-has -been-on-wall-for-al most.html Today, channelonline.tv carries the following: "Condor Ferries has bought a new £50 million high speed vessel. The latest addition to the fleet will come into service in spring 2015. The purchase follows the news Condor secured a ten-year licence to provide Jersey and Guernsey with ferry services. The Austal 102 trimaran can carry 1,165 passengers, 254 cars and has a 630 nautical mile range. The new licence allows for a rival operator to set up providing it can match Condor's services. CEO James Fulford said: "I am delighted to announce th...
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-jersey-28806481 Condor Ferries signs 10-year operating licence. Condor Express Condor Ferries have signed a 10 year non-exclusive agreement with Jersey Ports, allowing the company to operate passenger, vehicle and freight services until 2024. It is also announced that Guernsey's government have agreed to extend a "memorandum of understanding" with Condor until 2018. These new arrangements made public yesterday, may come as a bit of a blow to Weymouth and Portland Borough Council as the way is now clear for Condor to proceed with their plan to bring into service their new 102 meter trimaran for the UK to Channel Islands routes. The "new" Condor Ferry: Austal’s 102-metre trimaran The reason for the concern in Weymouth, is the continuing controversy and discussions regarding the required improvements to Pier 1 at the Weymouth ferry terminal. The improvements to Pier 1 will require a £10million ...
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/11158216.Weymouth_stunned_by_Condor_Ferries__bombshell_plan_to_leave_port/ Weymouth stunned by Condor Ferries' plan to leave port Condor Vitesse departs from Weymouth Why should the latest chapter in the Condor Ferries/Weymouth story cause so much surprise and agitation? I have been predicting a scenario such as this since before the Condor Ferry operation was forced to relocate to Poole, prior to the 2012 Olympics, and the repairs to ferry terminal three at Weymouth during the same year. Since 2012, numerous blog entries have commented on the fact that Weymouth and Portland Borough Council’s handling of the relationship with Condor Ferries, the Weymouth Harbour repairs and ferry arrangements during the work programme have been a catalogue of ineptitude and incompetence, not to mention the disastrous handling of the Olympics themselves. No matter how far this incompetent council drive their head into the sand, the evid...
http://jerseyeveningpost.com/news/2014/02/07/50m-ship-may-be-on-line-by-october/ A new £50 million ship could be in operation by October Austal’s 102-metre trimaran Condor ferries are in discussions with the Jersey States in respect of a long term operating licence with the company for the UK Channel Islands ferry routes. Senator Alan Maclean, Economic Development Minister announced last week. In the meantime, the company has been given an interim five-year licence after its previous one expired at the end of 2013. As part of the new arrangements, it is also reported, that provided all goes well. Condor will replace two of its existing fast ferries with a new £50 million Next Generation 102m Trimaran. The new ferry, built by Austal in Australia, with defence subsidiaries in the United States and a commercial shipyard in the Philippines, has a capacity for 1165 passengers and 245 cars. It is proposed that the ferry will be in service by October of this year (201...
http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/displayarticle.asp?id=509441 Condor granted a five year temporary extension to their operating license. Economic Development Minister Alan McClean What "further negotiations " are necessary? What further considerations need to be considered? The ships are dirty and grubby, the reclining seats are mostly broken and remain un repaired. The service is unreliable, and that is not only due to the weather. The cost of traveling on Condor is extortionate. What more is there to understand or talk about? Condor ferries Another report in today's channelonline.tv states that the number of visitors to Jersey has declined by 40% since 2000. Taking into consideration that more the 70% of Jersey visitors come from mainland UK, it is not unreasonable to assume that the cost of travel to the Island is a significant contribution to the falling tourist numbers. Under these circumstances, the decisi...
http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_guernseynews/displayarticle.asp?id=508819 Both High speed ferries to Weymouth cancelled following news of high winds and wave heights Condor Ferries For sometime, I have been critical of the fast ferries operated by Condor on the Channel Island routes. Engine problems, delays and "high winds and wave heights exceeding limits", have frequently caused disruption to the service and frustration to the passengers. In addition, when they do sail, the condition of the facilities on board are less than satisfactory,and as I wrote in "The terminal decline of tourism to Jersey ?" (and in other blogs on related subjects) ".... the ships are generally grubby, the reclining seats are mostly broken and remain un repaired, and Club Class travel now only provides complimentary coffee and a muffin, which has usually seen better days". (http://new-agenda2012.blogspot.co.uk/2013/06/the-terminal-decline-of-tou...
http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=507500 Condor Ferries is working with Channel Island governments to secure two new vessels I was having a conversation with some Condor people on the ferry back to the mainland a couple of days ago after another stay in St Aubin. It seems that the proposed "new" ships will be larger than Express, Vittesse and Rapide. However, the rebuilt Ferry berth 3 at the Weymouth Ferry terminal, is apparently not big enough to take larger ships. It seems that the planners did not see that problem coming. It this is in fact the case, then Poole may be the only port (other than Portsmouth for the traditional ferry) for arrival or departure from the Channel Islands. This would fulfill a long standing prediction that Condor's long term objective to relocate its operation to Poole and end its long standing relationship with Weymouth.
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10635801.Disruptions_after_Condor_breaks_down/?action=success Condor Vitesse suffers engine trouble Condor Vitesse Déjà vu. When will Condor get rid of these troublesome ferries, which incidentally are now looking well past their sell by date both mechanically and in the lounges, and replace them with proper vehicle ferries built for the prevailing conditions and traffic, rather than for the very different conditions around Australia or the Caribbean? We have been on both the "Express" and the "Vitesse" on a number of occasions since April of this year and the standard of both vessels has declined rapidly.The ships are generally grubby, (including the Rapide which we have also travelled on frequently) the reclining seats are mostly broken and remain un repaired, and Club Class travel now only provides complimentary coffee and a muffin, which has usually seen better days. The condition of the ships, particularly ...
http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=506659 Attempts to hold on to Jersey's tourism industry For all intents and purposes, the problems that the States has in the tourist sector are entirely of their own making. All it seems has been sacrificed on the altar of "Finance" at the expense first of agriculture and then tourism. It seems to me that the vision of creating a Dubai type Island off the coat of France full of exclusive hotels, rich financiers, Corporate Banks and luxury accommodation was only ever a wishful thinking mirage, and in pursuit of that dream the Island has fallen between stools and now has an identity crisis of huge proportions. The historic skills of agriculture have been irretrievably lost and traditional tourist accommodation has been closed or demolished to make way for "prestigious" projects. The lack of tourists in Jersey has little to do with the weather, perhaps something to do with the recess...
http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=505848 Calls for Jersey to invest more in tourism The problem is that Jersey is pricing itself out of the tourism market. The reasons for this situation are complex and varied.The cost of getting to the Island, by sea or air, is expensive and then the prices of the traditional tourist attractions (those that are still left that is), make a day out for Mum Dad and two children rather prohibitive. It has been said that air travel to Jersey is cheaper than Malaga or Ibiza for a family of Mum Dad and two children. That may well be the case but when the complete cost, including car hire and accommodation is considered, the all up cost of a holiday in jersey is considerably more expensive. The same family, coming by sea with their own car, would pay £595 just for the travel cost. On arrival, the family would quickly become aware that prices are higher than they expected. The days of duty ...
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/10448604.Costs_soar_for_Weymouth_harbour_wall/ The cost of works will rise to more than £4.4 million and that is only the latest estimate. Repair work continues at Weymouth ferry berth three I have never been as optimistic about this repair project timescale and costs as Weymouth and Portland Borough Council seem to have been. Going back over some comments made by Condor Ferries since before the Olympic Games in 2012, it seems (reading between the lines), that they too did not share Weymouth's confidence that the repairs would be complete and operations from Weymouth would recommence in May of 2013. The date for the return of the ferry operator from Poole is now scheduled for July of this year, but it seems that even that date is questionable. The comment form Condor that "...The company is keen to return and will start sailings on July 17 – if the work is done." is a qualified one and does not seem particul...
http://www.channelonline.tv/channelonline_jerseynews/DisplayArticle.asp?ID=502377 Operations director Fran Collins said regular fast ferry services to the Channel Islands, and on to St Malo in France, would return to Weymouth from 17 July 2013. Fast ferry Condor Express alongside in Weymouth As we live only about 16 miles from Weymouth, this would certainly be more convenient for us. However, recent visits to the town reveal no visible signs of activity on the quay, apart from one Condor fast ferry apparently parked for the winter. As for a Condor return to Weymouth, we shall see.
http://www.dorsetecho.co.uk/news/9962408.May_finish_for_Weymouth_harbour_wall_repairs/?ref=mc May finish for Weymouth harbour wall repairs Yesterday, I commented on a story in the "Dorset Echo" which questioned the return of Condor Ferries to their Weymouth operation. "From conversations I have had with people who work for Condor, it seems to me that this story has some credibility. I under stand that the work on rebuilding the quay at Weymouth is far from completion, and the March return date looks very uncertain. Add to the is the fact that Poole council are making very strong representations to Condor to remain in Poole, a return to the Weymouth operation seems less and less likely." Today, Friday 5th October 2012 , Dorset Echo carries this story of the repairs not being completed until May 2013 "at the earliest". It seems to me that Weymouth has seen the last of the Condor Ferry operations from the town, together with the employment and f...