Commodore Clipper ferry accidents and incidents

October 2022Other Incidents

In October 2022, the fleetmate Commodore Goodwill sustained damages during drydock maintenance in Santander (Spain). The damaged equipment (a propeller and the driveshaft) was sent to Scandinavia so the ferry returned to the England-Channel islands service later than scheduled.

As result, Goodwill’s overnight crossing schedule (between Poole and Jersey and Guernsey) was taken by Commodore Clipper.

Commodore Goodwill was undergoing a month-long (Sept-Oct) biennial drydocking.

05 October 2018Coast Guard Medevacs

On October 5, 2018, a male passenger (with a pre-existing medical condition) was medevaced from the ferry during a crossing from Portsmouth (England) to Channel Islands (Guernsey-Jersey). Condor Ferries (shipowner) confirmed the "medical emergency" in an official statement.

The medevac was via lifeboat dispatched from Yarmouth Lifeboat Station (Great Yarmouth, Norfolk, England). The boat met the cruise ferry approx 12 ml (20 km) southwest of Isle of Wight.

14 July 2014Ship Grounding

On July 14, 2014, due to human error (Navigation Bridge team), the ship ran aground off Guernsey Island (Little Russel channel) sustaining hull damages and flooding.

The MAIB investigation report (issued in 2015) showed not properly considered passage planning issues. Due to the very low tide, the vessel "squatted" in the shallow water at high speed. Also, the ship's electronic navigation system was not effectively utilized as its safety settings were not appropriate to the Channel Islands sea conditions. As result, the system's warnings were ignored and the sound alarm disabled. There were also issues with Guernsey Harbour's pilotage assistance.

Following the drydock in Falmouth England for repairs, the ferry returned to service on August 27, 2014. During the drydock period, Condor Ferries chartered 2 freight ferries and all booked passengers were diverted to the company's two fast ferries Rapide and Liberation.