A new ferry company is looking for government backing to provide a daily inter-islands foot passenger service.

Islands Unlimited hopes to introduce a schedule of 464 return sailings between the Channel Islands from mid-May until the end of October next year.

It says a 200-passenger high-speed catamaran could provide daily services between Guernsey and Jersey, whilst also offering regular trips between Jersey, Sark and Alderney.

The company aims to focus on day trips, but will also give island-hopping opportunities for visitors and tour operators.

It estimates the service could bring in £17.7m in revenue for each Bailiwick over the next five years, but it is looking for support from the governments of both Guernsey and Jersey to get up and running.

Operations Director, Chad Murray, says they want less than a million pounds.

“We first offered inter-island ferry services to government back in May, with a request that they support the establishment of the service, given the economic and social benefits it will bring across the Channel Islands and the fact that it aligns and supports the various strategies of government."

"At the time, this was met with some reluctance from certain areas. However, we remain ready and waiting to mobilise the vessel and publish our schedule, should we manage to get the right level of government support.”

Islands Unlimited says it has been engaging with the States in both islands for more than six months, but arrangements are yet to be confirmed.

The company proposal comes at a time of ambiguity for inter-island ferry travel, after Guernsey and Jersey chose different preferred bidders to operate their regular ferry services.

Talks on how often Brittany Ferries and DFDS will provide inter-islands sailings are ongoing.

However, Brittany Ferries currently only has one midweek trip scheduled and DFDS is yet to release its timetable.

Mr Murray - a former Guernsey Harbour Master - believes Islands Unlimited could help to meet the need for inter-island links.

"Our extensive market research and stakeholder engagement across the islands has confirmed our understanding that industry, the community and
visitors would all like to see regular, consistent and cost-effective inter-island travel," he continued.

"This is a great opportunity for the islands, we just need to get it over the line.

“The landscape has changed with the delays caused by the tender process and that two operators are now planning to service Guernsey and Jersey independently.

This has caused us to re-evaluate our business plan due to reduced availability of suitable vessels as well as the uncertainty the whole situation has given to investors.

We now need further positive engagement with government to provide the comfort that they are behind us and endorse our operation.”

Islands Unlimited is hopeful that, with States engagement, the schedule and booking system could go live early next year.