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Sailing to Jersey
We recently travelled to Jersey with Condor Ferries, with a friend who was also towing a caravan. We arrived early as requested, and two hours before the ferry departed, we were lined up waiting to board.
Some cars were directed onto the ferry and then came the motorhomes. They were asked to reverse on. There were only two caravans, ours and our friend’s. Then came the surprise – I was asked to reverse our outfit on board and manoeuvre it between the rows of motorhomes.
This was a bit of a concern. I have been caravanning for over 50 years, so I’m used to complicated manoeuvres. I managed it, but our friend couldn’t, so I ran down the gangplank and reversed their caravan on, too. In fairness, the people loading the ferry were very reassuring, but not all caravanners are happy to reverse, nor would they expect to reverse onto a ferry. The first we knew of this was while queueing to board. So I’m writing to let readers know that if they travel to Jersey using Condor Ferries, they will be asked to reverse on board. Hywel Buckland Condor Ferries replies… As a passenger and freight company, Condor has been transporting a huge variety of vehicles and equipment between the UK mainland and the Channel Islands for three quarters of a century, so is familiar with the relevant procedures. With regard to the carriage of caravans, motorhomes, campervans, folding campers and trailer tents, we provide detailed advice on our website (condorferries.co.uk/ferryroutes-ports/plan-your-journey/ booking-the-right-vehicle/ taking-your-caravancampervan-motorhome). This comprises everything from entry permits required for Jersey, Guernsey and France, check-in times, permissible vehicle heights and lengths, to how to drive onto our ferry. As your correspondent kindly points out, our crew are helpful and experienced so will guide and direct passengers on board. It is stated online that drivers may be required to reverse onto the car deck. While this is not always necessary, it depends on the type of vessel, configuration and how busy it is on board. We do not, however, feel it is unreasonable to expect drivers of caravans and motorhomes to be able to manoeuvre them onto the vessel, with our help. We understand taking a caravan or motorhome is a great way to explore, so are committed to making travel on all our sailings as simple and affordable as possible. In light of your reader’s comments, we will review and establish if we can make this information more prominent in documentation for passengers.