Passengers Leave Fire Damaged Ferry

The 62 passengers onboard the Commodore Clipper ferry have now safely disembarked by foot, accompanied by Condor Ferries staff and are being taken in coaches to overnight accommodation which has been arranged for them by the ferry company.

This action has been taken with the full agreement of the Hampshire Fire and Rescue Service, the MCA and other agencies involved in the response to the incident today.

Capt. Fran Collins, Operations Manager, Condor Ferries said "I am pleased that we have disembarked passengers safely and offered them accommodation overnight. Furthermore, I can confirm that all trailer fires are now extinguished. The Captain and Condor Ferries crew are continuing to work in very close co-operation with all relevant agencies who are involved in the response to this incident. At short notice, rooms were booked at two hotels and in addition to providing accommodation for most passengers, hotel accommodation was found for the passenger travelling with their dog".

Condor Ferries staff are accompanying passengers to their hotels and making arrangements to reunite them with their vehicles as soon as possible. Work to remove freight trailers from the vehicle deck has been completed for this evening and the next phase of the operation is being planned.