Heritage - Sea Transport
Steam ships, flying boats and hydrofoils. All these forms of nautical transport have graced Guernsey's shores. With the construction of the first steamships at the beginning of the 1800s fast passenger links to the island became a reality, especially when the rail line, built by the Great Western Railway, reached Weymouth.
The RAF's 201 Squadron's links with Guernsey date back to the 1930s, when their Southampton-based flying boats came on good-will visits.
The first ship that local ferry company Condor bought was an Italian-built hydrofoil named Condor 1. Word got around about its speed as passenger numbers grew from 10,000 in 1964 to over 60,000 in 1966.
In 1991 Condor introduced the revolutionary wave-piercing catamaran, Condor 9 on its UK to Channel Islands service. In 1993 it launched its first car-carrying wave-piercer - Condor 10. The new fast car ferry service was instantly popular, and revolutionised the UK to Channel Islands ferry service.
Condor now operates two of the world's most advanced fast ferries - Condor Vitesse and Condor Express.
In Autumn 1999 Condor launched it's all-weather, all-year-round traditional car ferry service, to give its customers total reliability. The Commodore Clipper operates from Portsmouth, and provides an excellent alternative to travellers who prefer a more leisurely crossing, and enjoy travelling overnight in a comfortable cabin.
ROCQUAINE REGATTA 01 Aug 2009 - 01 Aug 2009
The Rocquaine Regatta has a long and distinguished reputation for fun. A full day (and evening) of free entertainment and activities for both the young and young at heart, inc...
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TOUR DES PORTS DE LA MANCHE – YACHT RACE 12 Jul 2009 - 13 Jul 2009
Organised by Le Yacht Club de Granville this sailing race brings together around 100 boats and 700 yachtsmen across the Gulf of St Malo. Norman seamanship is tested over six d...
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