The Island of Herm lies some 3 miles to the east across the Little Russell from St Peter Port, and was with it’s close neighbour Jethou, a British Crown Dependency from 1204 to 1949 when they were sold to the States of Guernsey.
As the Island could only be reached by boat, there grew an increasing flotilla of small passenger craft, and in these early days many were former naval harbour launches, operated by owner / skippers, and below are a selection of images taken from my collection of postcards and my own photographic collection.
The 1960’s and 1970’s was the hey-
Below are some of the many early post cards which were published depicting the queues of passengers waiting on the Town Slip to embark not only to Herm but also to Fermain Bay, but two things brought about the end these iconic pictures.
Firstly was the downturn in visitor numbers to Guernsey and secondly was the was the construction of the Victoria yacht marina opened in 1973, which saw mooring pontoons positioned across the area, making it difficult to use the slipway by the Town Church.
Below are some of the many post cards depicting the craft at the Town Church slipway and the queues of passengers waiting to board, always a photographers favorite, together with a photographs from my own collection, and help from friends.
See Herm Island for further details.
–––––––––––––––––––––––––––
List of Herm Vessels and Crews
Picture :
Scene at the Town Church slip in about 1954, with Fred Zabiela’s LADY JUNE and Percy Ferguson’s FERMAIN III. Before 1965 Gz301 904k
Picture : Colour Master PT28713
LADY JUNE, FERMAIN V,and HIGHLAND LADDIE. Postmarked 8 August 1961.
LADY JUNE, FERMAIN III, MAYWOOD, CAPWOOD, ARROWHEAD 006a
Picture : Lilywhite, Brighton GNY/C6 300ac
Another scene at the Town Church slip a couple of years later, with CAPWOOD against the slip, with LADY JUNE now painted blue alongside and FERMAIN V on the outside, and FERMAIN III astern.
Picture :
The same two boats as above, but with FERMAIN V on the inside, and LADY JUNE now
with a wheelhouse, and sporting a light blue hull, as is ISLE OF HERM -
Picture : Tenant of Herm
Herm launch ARROWHEAD with Len O’Brien at the wheel, leaving the Island with the White House Hotel in the background. 301w 1.27m
Picture :
Another picture of the slip, with LADY JUNE using the steps in the steps in the corner to load passengers. Gz025 729k
Picture : Jarrold & Sons G47
One of a number of pictures taken the same day, MAYWOOD, LADY JUNE (loading), with
FERMAIN V and TYPHOON 1961 -
Picture : by Norman Grut, Published by Guernsey Press Ltd. GPG 121 P55752
Above and below two pictures taken about five minutes apart. Above LADY JUNE is departing the slip, while MAYWOOD moves to take her place. Below MAYWOOD is loaded and moving off while FERMAIN V waits to load.
Note that the same people are in the queue on the slip waiting to board..
Picture : Bamforth & Co Ltd. ET 6102
Note -
MAYWOOD, LADY JUNE, FERMAIN herm boats
303a
re : Precision Ltd.
This picture was taken sometime between 1968 and 1972, and shows l/r unknown Herm boat, LADY DOROTHY (1968), FERMAIN VI (1964), ISLE OF HERM, ISLAND QUEEN (1966), FERMAIN V (1958).
NEWTON FERRY
1960’s Newton Ferries operated by Brian Gallienne
1960’s late sold to Major Wood, replaced ARROWHEAD.
1961 Operated by Newton Ferries
1970 Service replaced by contract with Trident.
1971 Still owned by Major Wood. Sold at end of season to Scottish owners.
Picture : N.P.O. Ltd.,,C21148 80214 C …
HENRY ROSE II comes alongside the steps on the east side of the Albert Pier
NEWTON HERM FERRY
Picture
: N.P.O. Ltd. C2120-
MARTHA GUNN swings off the slipway, with a Herm Ferries launch alongside. The former commenced service on April 23 1949. Gz042 1m
Picture : John Hinde Studios 2J63 gz043 1.06m
CLACTON GAZELLE of Newton’s Herm Ferry in the Inner Harbour.
Card post marked 1973
Picture :
CLACTON GAZELLE at Herm. Picture courtesy John Elsbury
NEWTON’S GAZELLE only 1968
Built E. Palzeaird, St Sampsons. May 1968 94 pasengers
Length 47’
1968 Built as NEWTON’S GAZELLE for,
1969 Sold to J. Harvey & Sons, Poole, renamed MAID OF THE HARBOUR.
1995 Sold to Hurst Castle Ferries, Keyhaven, renamed SOLENT ROSE.
Picture
: COPYRIGHT PHOTO ONE 92-
NEWTON’S GAZELLE seen as MAID OF THE HARBOUR in Poole Harbour in June 1992.
Arrow Speedboats Ltd.
Blue Arrow Speedboats
Owner Bernard D. Gosheron, Les Piverts, Mont-
The 1952 return gives the owner as G. Judd, with only BLUE ARROW and BLUE ARROW I operating, and nothing in the following years.
Picture :
A BLUE ARROW launch at the end of the Albert Pier. 301w 147k
A small section of a 1948 post card, showing a BLUE
ARROW moored in the “Pool”. Picture : 303 138k
The years the craft operated is based on the registration of crews with the Harbour Authorities.
BLUE ARROW I On 182249 POR Cowes 1948
Built Wotton Creek, 1948
Tonnage 5grt 3nrt
Dimensions 30.0 8.3 3.0
rd 28.9 8.5 3.7
12 pass 2 crew
1949 and 1950
BLUE ARROW II On 182250 POR Cowes
Built Wotton Creek, 1948
Tonnage 5grt 3nrt
Dimensions 30.0 8.6 3.1
rd 28.9 8.5 3.7
10 pass 2 crew
1950 and 1951
BLUE ARROW III
Dimensions 30.0 8.6 3.1
10 pass 2 crew
1950 and 1951
BLUE ARROW IV On 182253
No record of this vessel operating under this name. See JERSEY ARROW
BLUE ARROW V On 182255
Buily Wotton Creek 1948
Tonnage 3grt 2nrt
Dimensions 30.0 8.6 3.1 12 pass 2 crew
Operated 1949 and 1950
BLUE ARROW VI On 182256
Built Wotton Creek 1948
Tonnage 3grt 2nrt
Dimensions 30.0 8.3 3.8
22.1 6.5 3.0
12 pass 2 crew
Operated 1949 only
JERSEY ARROW ex BLUE ARROW IV On 182253
Built Wotton Creeks 1947
Tonnage 3grt 2nrt
Dimensions 22.1 6.5 3.0
23.0 6.6 3.6 100bhp
12 pass 2 crew
From 1949 return
Picture
: 300wa 71.6k 
FLYING CHRISTINE after sale to St. John’s Ambulance, and conversion into an ambulance launch, pictured July 22 1952 when launched?.
1963 10 January. Vessel broke from her moorings early in the day and was smashed against the Connaught Quay and is considered a write off.
Picture : G.P.C. Ltd 300wa 99k
The Railway vessel BRITTANY made and excursion from Jersey to Sark every Monday during the summer months, and the Herm boats were used as tenders.
Here CAPWOOD is loading passengers at the steps in Creux Harbour while a launch is on its way out.
Herm Ferries Ltd.
t/a Herm Seaway
HERM SEAWAY EXPRESS Ltd.
No 30603 Registered 16.02 1996
Late 2000 company acquired by Trident Charter Co. Ltd.
Company dissolved 10.11.2008
The introduction of the trading name Herm Seaway occurred in 1973 when the newly built HERM CLIPPER was put into service, replacing two of the older units of the fleet. The other vessels in the fleet also had Herm Seaway added to their hulls, and the HF on the bow shields were altered to HS.
By the mid 1990’s the falling tourist numbers resulted in over capacity on the Herm route, and to address this there was consolidation of three of the companies. To facilitate this, on 16 February 1996 two new companies were formed, Herm Seaway Express Ltd. No 30603 and Munson Herm Ferry No 30606.
This allowed ALOUETTE and TYPHOON to be removed from the Herm route, leaving only LADY DOROTHY and HERM CLIPPER to challenge TRIDENT CHARTER on the route. Even this could not reverse the downturn in passengers, and in late 2000 both Herm Seaway Express Ltd., and Munson Herm Ferry Ltd were sold to the Trident Charter Co. Ltd., thus ending nearly sixty of competition on the Herm route.
LADY DOROTHY was sold early the following year, while HERM CLIPPER remained until February 2007 when she to was sold.
ISLE OF SARK 1930 -
ISLE OF HERM 1931 -
CAROL LINDA
Built Lloyds Aldert Yard, Woolston. 1922
Length 50’0” 12’ 0” 5’6”
Reg 47.4 11.85
Propulsion Thorneycroft Diesel 90hp
The vessel was built in 1922 as DESIREE by Lloyds Albert Yard, Woolston for their own account. She arrived at Guernsey in March 1930 being register on March 25 to J. H. Legg, James H. Legg & H. H. Cook, and renamed ISLE OF SARK a month later, and used on the Sark run.
In 1931 due to Southern Railways wanting the name for their new Cross Channel vessel, they approached the owners who agreed to rename the vessel ISLE OF HERM, which took place in September that year.
On April 5 1937, James Harold Legg became the sold owner, who on May 27 1940 sold her to F. J. Kelsick of Guernsey. He remained the owner until January 21 1946 ownership reverted to James Legg, and then on May 29 1947 she was acquired by Island Shipping Co., who were commencing services to Sark. With the demise of that service ISLE OF HERM passed to Joint owners in London on January 18 1951 and registry was transferred to that port.
The vessel remained working on the River Thames until August 28 1959 when she was again registered in Guernsey, this time to H. T. Ingrouille. The next change occurred on September 11 1962 when she was sold by Lloyds Bank to H. L. Renouf, who kept her until February 8 1968 when she passed to Herm Ferries Ltd.
With a new large vessel being built, ISLE OF HERM was put up for sale in 1972, and on January 19 1973 she passed into the ownership of Fair Deal Monopolies a Jersey company being renamed CAROL LINDA on April 6, and arriving in Jersey on April 29.
The vessel did not enter service in 1977 due to engine trouble, and then remained laid up, being later sold to Frank Holden for conversion into a fishing boat. She was cut in two and had a gantry add at the “new” stern, but saw little service (if any) until being towed out to sea and scuttled.
See -
Picture : PHOTO ONE 701/1 002 568k
ISLE OF HERM pictured on August 16 1972 during her last weeks in service, inbound to St. Peter Port on the last sailing of the day.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 683/1 302web 124k
HIGHLAND LADDIE in use as a fishing boat August 2 1973
CAPWOOD
Late 1976 sold to the Foudroyant Trust, Portsmouth.
Picture : unknown 301w c 448k
CAPWOOD disembarking passengers at low water using a dinghy.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 2002c 7.77k
CAPWOOD enjoys a lunch time break on 16 August 1972, berthed with LADY DOROTHY, ISLAND QUEEN and FERMAIN VI
SKYLARK
Owner R.W. Taylor
Operator Herm Ferries Ltd
Dimensions 35’ x 11’4” x 2’6”
Proplusion B.M.C. Diesel 90ho 9.5kts
Was operated at Southampton by Favourite Boats.
1954 Arrived in Guernsey from the Margate area.
1957 Acquired by Herm Ferries
1972 Acquired by R.W. Taylor.
1977 Sold to Condor Ltd., for use as a Sark tender.
1980 Sold at end of season.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 2089ac
SKYLARK inward bound to St. Peter Port July 1974
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 2092c
Photographed August 28 1974
ISLAND QUEEN
Owner /
Operator Herm Ferries Ltd.
Built J.D. Hainsworth Marine, St. Peter Port Comp May 1966
Dimensions 42’ x 13’ x 2’6”
Propulsion B.M.C. Diesel 100hp 8.5kts
Passengers 76
1966 Built as ISLAND QUEEN.
1986 Sold Gosport Ferry (PHFC) , renamed SOLENT PRINCESS and used
in a consortium on Portsmouth Harbour Tours.
1996 PHFC left Portsmouth consortium.
1997 November. Vessel on the sales list for £27,950.
1998 Owned by Paignton Pleasure Cruises and used on the Torquay -
Service as ISLAND PRINCESS
2013 early bought by Cremyll Ferry Company name retained, now blue hull.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 300wa 61.4k
ISLAND QUEEN photographed 28 August 1974
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 81/6C/12/3 301aw
Off Herm August 27 1981.
LADY DOROTHY 1968 -
Built C.P. Wilson for Herm Seaways. Comp May 1968
Dimensions 50’ x 13’ x 3’6”
Propulsion Leyland diesel 180hp 9.5kts
Passengers 96
1968 Vessel built for Herm Ferries Ltd.
1996 February 16. Owner became part of the new company Herm Seaway Express Ltd. cn 30603
2001 March 20. (GEP) Vessel has been sold, and will move to Ullswater. She will be taken to Poole and then transported to her new home by road.
Owner Ullswater Navigation & Transit Co., Glenridding.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 689/1
LADY DOROTHY moored with other during the lunch time break August 16 1972.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 689/2
In the Little Russell 26 July 1974 305wa
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 004c 89.4k
Leaving Herm 14 August 1996
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CP98/2/6 201c 663k
LADY DOROTHY alongside HERM CLIPPER on the Castle Emplacement
undergoing refit February 26 1998.
HERM CLIPPER
Built J.D. Hainsworth (Marine) Ltd., Castle Emplacement. Yn 023 1973
Tonnage 19grt
Dimensions 54’ x 16’6” x 3’8”
Propulsion Thornycroft 6cyl diesel 180hp 10kts
Passengers 100
Built to replace ISLE OF HERM and CAPWOOD.
1973 May 14. Launched by Mrs. Mary Wood, wife of the tenant of Herm.
1980 April. Wheelhouse rebuilt with a funnel atop.
1996 February 16. Owner became part of the new company Herm Seaway Express Ltd. No 30603.
2000 Late in year owners acquired by the Trident Charter Co. Ltd.
2007 February. Sold to S.S. Jamieson, Torquay, name retained.
2009 Sold to Greenway Quay & Ferry Services Ltd., renamed CLIPPER.
2015 Early. Owners withdraw from Tor Bay ferry services, and vessel sold to
Clipper Cruises Ltd., Torquay, name retained.
Picture
: PHOTO ONE 754/5
300wa
Inward bound to St. Peter Port 28 August 1974
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 312c 398k 6c/81/12/5
Approaching Herm, 27 August 1981, showing the alterations made in April 1980 to the wheelhouse with a funnel atop.
Picture : ©
PHOTO 
ONE 313c 373k
Another taken on 27 August 1981 6c/81/12/6
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 91/1b/14 005cw 192k
Arriving St. Peter Port 29 June 1991
Picture : © PHOTO ON
E 91/1b/18
030cw 216.3k
HERM CLIPPER Departing 29 June 1991
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 1613c 363k
Off Herm August 14 1996.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CP98/2/7 203cw 723k
HERM CLIPPER with LADY DOROTHY February 26 1998.
Inter -
Was acquired early in 1975 by L. O’Brien owner of Herm Express Ferry, but will continue
under the Inter-
MAYWOOD was advertised for sale in January 1976, and was sold before the start of the season to Tagoa Ltd of Lowestoft to provide trips at that port.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 688/1 300wa 139k
Arriving St. Peter Port August 16 1972
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 007c 489k
MAYWOOD in the Little Russell August 24 1974.
Picture : ©
PHOTO ONE 1975/c8/34 2
229 346k
MAYWOOD with her two red fleet members on October 28 1975, shortly before her sale. On the inside of ALOUETTE is HARPOON.
Herm Express Ferries
HERM SEAWAY EXPRESS Ltd.
No 30603 Registered 16.02 1996
Late 2000 company acquired by Trident Charter Co. Ltd.
Company dissolved 10.11.2008
In 1967 Len O’Brien purchased SILHOUETTE and ALOUETTE, two sister vessels which had been operated in the Portsmouth / Southsea area by Mr. Knopp.
In early 1975 owner acquired Inter -
By the mid 1990’s the falling tourist numbers resulted in over capacity on the Herm route, which saw consolidation of three of the companies. To facilitate this, on 16 February 1996 two new companies were formed Herm Seaway Express Ltd. No 30603 and Munson Herm Ferry No 30606. With this ALOUETTE was sold to be used on the Fermain Bay service.
1975 MAYWOOD sold early 1976
1981 SILHOUETTE sold to Condor.
SILHOUETTE
Owner Len O’Brien t/a Herm Express Ferries
Built Camper & Nicholson
Dimensions 45’ x 12’6”
Passengers 86
1967 Acquired by Len O’Brien
1981 Sold to Condor Ltd., for use as a tender at Sark.
1983 night of 27/28 March broke from her mooring at Sark and was smashed
to pieces on the rocks.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 0005 76.8k
SILHOUETTE August 28 1974
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 1676c 656k
Outbound to Herm. July 26 1974
Picture : © PHOTO ONE
SILHOUETTE operating at Sark as the Condor Launch August 13 1981.
ALOUETTE
Owner Len O’Brien t/a Herm Express Ferries
Built Camper & Nicholson
Dimensions 45’ x 12’6” x 3’
Propulsion Parsons Porbeagle (Ford) 46hp 8.5kts
Passengers 85
1966 Acquired and brought to Guernsey
1976 Sold to Inter-
1980 March 12. Vessel advertised for sale in Jersey Evening Post for £9,000
1985 early. Vessel rebuilt with higher gunwalls and wheel house moved forward.
1996 16 February. Owner became part of the new company Herm Seaway Express Ltd. No 30603 and ALOUETTE was sold to be used on the Fermain Bay service.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 725/1 310wa 148k
ALOUETTE photographed August 2 1972
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 1665c 629k
Herm to St. Peter Port July 14 1975.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 81/6C/12/2
ALOUETTE Leaving Herm August 27 1981.
Vessel was re-
Picture : John Hinde Studios 201w 159k
A post card of ALOUETTE departing the Victoria Marina.
Picture : PHOTO ONE CP91/1b/7a 1573c 139k
Leaving St. Peter Port June 29 1991
Vessel had been re-
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CP97/2/3 1536cw 56.7k
ALOUETTE being used as a Fermain Ferry. April 21 1997
RON MUNSON
MUNSON HERM FERRY
MUNSON HERM FERRY Ltd.
No 30606 Registered 16.02 1996
Late 2000 company acquired by Trident Charter Co. Ltd.
Company dissolved 10.11.2008
By the mid 1990’s the falling tourist numbers resulted in over capacity on the Herm route, and the consolidation of three of the operators. To facilitate this, on 16 February 1996 two new companies were formed Herm Seaway Express Ltd. No 30603 and Munson Herm Ferry No 30606, which resulted in TYPHOON being removed from the Herm service, and she was then used as the Jethou supply boat.
HARPOON 1966 -
TYPHOON 1978 -
Built D.J. Le Page, St. Sampson’s 1966
Dimensions 35’ x 17’ x 4’
Propulsion B.M.C. Sealord 100hp 7.5kts
Passengers 66
Vessel designed by Ron Munson.
1965 November 11. Keel laid. 1966 June 14. Launched as HARPOON.
1978 Renamed TYPHOON .
1996 16 February. Munson Herm Ferries Limited formed. Vessel then used as the Jethou supply boat.
1996 September 20. Advertised for sale in the Jersey Evening Post.
1999 Vessel sold to M.D. Barrow, Torquay. Name retained.
2007 Sold to Greenway Quay & Ferry Service, Brixham renamed
TORQUAY BELLE.
2015 Owners withdrew from services in Tor Bay, and the vessel was sold to
Clydelink, Glasgow. Renamed RIVER VIKING.
2018 Vessel was intended to operate a river taxi service, but this did to happen,
and she was still at Rothesay Dock at Clydebank in mid 2018.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 687/1 101w 8.4k
HARPOON August 16 1972
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CT01 28k
Inwards on July 26 1974
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 687/4 11w 7.8k
August 28 1974
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CT04 023c 409k
Inwards July 14 1975
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 060cw 67.6k
Now named TYPHOON and with Ron Munson at the helm, vessel departs Herm on 27 August 1981. Notice the alterations to the steering position, the porthole being replaced with a large window, and the removal of bow handrails.
Picture
: © PHOTO 
ONE CP97/1/ 015cw 120k
TYPHOON awaiting sale on the Careening Hard in St. Peter Port February 13 1997
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CP98/2/8 201w 45.0k
Undergoing refit on Castle Emplacement February 26 1998.
Trident Charter Co. Ltd.
The Company was formed on November 26 1968, with the intention of operating high speed craft between St. Peter Port and Herm.
The first craft was a single hulled vessel, but subsequent vessels built have been catamarans. New craft were built in 1972, 1974, 1984, and at times were chartered to the Isle of Sark Sg. Co for the Sark route.
The big step came in 1989 when the company acquired the hull of a large catamaran which had been built for a private owner but not completed. This vessel became HERM TRIDENT V able to carry 250 passengers, and she was also able to transport most of the cargo requirements to the Island. When a sister vessel was introduced in May 1991 there was little room for any other operators.
There was not even enough passengers for this new vessel, and from 1993 one of the vessels was chartered out during the day to the Isle of Sark Sg Co. replacing their fast launches (sold 1992), and this continued until the end of the 2005 season. In the evenings the vessel was used on the Herm run if required to provide extra capacity.
By the late 1990’s over capacity was was still a problem, and this was resolved in late 2000 when Trident Charter acquired Herm Seaway Express Ltd. and Munson Herm Ferry Ltd included the two vessels then being operated, LADY DOROTHY and HERM CLIPPER. The former was sold early the following year, while HERM CLIPPER remained until February 2007.
Herm Seaway Express Ltd., and Munson Herm Ferry Ltd., were both dissolved on 11 November 2008.
Trade for the company has picked up due to the ever increasing number of cruise liners which now call at St. Peter Port and the company provides tender services as required.
In 2021 there was a falling out between the company and the operators of Herm Island, which resulted in Trident Charter withdrawing their winter service as from
31 October 2021.
Their service resumed in spring 2022, and thus the service is now a seasonal one only.
HERM TRIDENT (I)
Built Dorset Lake Shipyard, Poole. 1969
Dimensions 42’ x 12’ 38 passengers.
Propulsion Twin Cummings each 185hp 28 knots.
Passengers 38
1969 May 30. Arrived St. Peter Port
1973 Sold at the end of the summer to MacAlpines for use on the Clyde.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 684/1 102c 86.4k
HERM TRIDENT 16 August 1972
HERM TRIDENT II 1972 -
Built E. Palzeaird, St Sampson’s 1972
Tonnage
Dimensions 60’ 24’ 3’9”
Propulsion 2 x Detroit 8v 53n diesels, each 280shp 15.5kts
Passengers 100 later 250.
1972 July 1. Entered service
1973 May. Improvements carried out, new fully upholstered seating, radar and
ship to shore radio installed.
1975 March. Cabin extended to side of vessel, to allow milk raft to be driven
on board. Now able to carry 133 passengers
1990 Sold to Dart Pleasure Craft, renamed KINGSWEAR BELLE
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 685/1 012c
HERM TRIDENT II seen arriving St. Peter Port August 16 1972
Picture : G.P.C. 013 654k
HERM TRIDENT II entering St. Peter Port when new.
Picture :
© PHOTO ONE 6
85/2
HERM TRIDENT II July 26 1974, before the passenger cabin was extended to the side of the vessel.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 685/3 010c
Ro/Ro to Herm. A Land Rover aboard HERM TRIDENT II July 26 1974.
Note Major Wood at the cabin entrance
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 75/C4/24 ct01wa 015c 559k
Returning to St. Peter Port July 1975
HERM TRIDENT III 1974 -
Built J.D. Hainsworth (Marine) Ltd. Yn 024, Castle Cornet 1974
Dimensions 51’ 18’6” 3’9”
Engine 2 x Detroit diesels each 280hp 18/20kts
Passengers 94
1974 May 30. Launched. Delivered Monday June 13.
1974 June 6. Entered service.
1977 Spent much of the season operating to Sark for the Isle of Sark Sg Co..
1984 Chartered to Condor Ltd for tender duties at Sark.
1986 Chartered for use at Ramsgate
1989 By July she was in Djibouti having been sold to Nour Travel Ltd., and
renamed NOUR TRIDENT, being skippered by Paul Mahy.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 101w 10.7k
HERM TRIDENT III August 28 1974
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 75/C4/26 
25.6k
Inbound to St. Peter Port July 1975
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 006c 447k
Arriving Sark July 28 1976 for Isle of Sark Sg. Co.
Picture
: © PHOTO ONE
004 56.7k
HERM TRIDENT II and HERM TRIDENT III pictured August 29 1974
HERM TRIDENT IIII 1984 -
Built Marine & General, St. Sampson’s., 1984
Tonnage
Dimensions 69’ x 30’ 250 passengers
Propulsion 2 DAF DKS 1160m 12 kts
Passengers 250
1983 June 5. Launched by Mrs. Bunty De Putron at St. Sampsons.
Directors of company Mr. Charlie Wilcox and Mr. John Du Putron.
1984 May. Completed. Vessel had been completed by owners.
1991 Sold, renamed SPRITE OF FIFE.
1993 Owners reported in liquidation.
Picture : 301w 1m
Company post card of HERM TRIDENT IIII when new.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 001 39.68k
HERM TRIDENT IIII September 25 1984
Photo John Bougard 115w 157k
Approaching St. Peter Port.
HERM TRIDENT V 1989 -
Built Marine & General, St. Sampsons
1987 February 24. Note in press that a catamaran hull MEROVINGIAN PRINCE was under construction at Marine & General, but that the purchaser had died.
1989 Vessel completed as HERM TRIDENT V.
1993/94 Winter Vessel lengthened.
Picture
: Company Post Card 
HERM TRIDENT V entering St. Peter Port.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE
At the North Pier steps. October 28 1989.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CP91/1b/10a 016c 15.0k
1991 June 29 . Now with a blue hull, and before lengthening.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CP93/4/0
HERM TRIDENT V pictured on May 6 1993 about to commence her charter for the season to Isle of Sark Sg. Co. She was lengthened at the end of the year.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 010acw2 193k
The lengthened vessel approaching Herm August 14 1996
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 201 230k
Arriving Herm Jetty June 30 2009
HERM TRIDENT VI 1991 -
Built Hull built in London and fitted out by owners. 1991
Tonnage
Dimensions
Propulsion
Passengers
1991 May. Introduced into service. Write up July 18, replaces HERM TRIDENT IIII
1994 June 14. While moored at the end of the New Jetty the vessel was rammed by NORMAN
COMMODORE when entering, the contact virtually demolishing the vessel. The remains
were taken to St. Sampsons where she was rebuilt. She re-
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CP95/1/17 301cw 112.2k
Vessel at St. Sampson’s March 17 1995 in the process of being re-
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 010acw 247k
HERM TRIDENT VI passing along the east coast of Sark while on charter to Isle of Sark Sg. Co. August 14 1996.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE CP96/1/24a 301w 652k
HERM TRIDENT V and HERM TRIDENT VI photographed March 8 1996, the former completing refit, and the latter being used as a working platform.
In late 1988 the Tenant of Herm was unable to come to an agreement with Trident Charter for the transport of the goods needed by the Island, this resulted in the Island building it’s own supply vessel. Named HERM SEAHORSE she was built in Hull, and made her own way to Guernsey, her first trip to Herm being on 29 March 1989.
HERM SEAHORSE 1989 -
Built Hull 1989
Dimensions 46’ X 14’
Engine Single screw
Cost £70,000
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 005acw 119k
Seen at her berth at the top end of the jetty in Herm harbour on 24 August 1990.
Picture : © PHOTO ONE 101cw 54.8k
HERM SEAHORSE on her way to Herm June 6 1993
COPYRIGHT © PHOTO ONE 0122w 59.3k
Above and below, two pictures of HERM SEAHORSE approaching St Peter Port August 29 2013.
COPYRIGHT © PHOTO ONE 0125acw 47.8k
2008 -
A new operator came on the scene in 2008, when Adrian and Pennie Heyworth decided to give up their lease of Herm, and it was acquired by Starboard Settlement a Trust owned in Guernsey by John and Julia Singer, who set up a company Herm Island Ltd to operate the Island.
The Covid pandemic hit the Islands on 9 March 2020, and Herm like the other Islands had periods of lock down, and at times, the inhabitants had to rely on the local oyster fishermen for their supplies.
It is not known if this caused Herm to look at their dependence on outside ferry services, as on 20 May 2021, Herm Island announced that they were having built a 45 foot passenger catamaran costing £750,000. It was stated that the Island needed “more flexibility” for residents and visitors, and vessel would run alongside the existing service but not in competition with them. The new ferry, aptly named ISLE OF HERM arrived from the builder on 9 July 2021, and was soon operating a full ferry service, the first competition on the route for just over twenty years.
The agreement for ferry services with the Hem and the Trident Charter Co had run out during the Covid pandemic, but talks between the two parties did resume, but it was announced on October 7 2021 that the talks had reached stalemate and a war of words followed.
Then on 23 October 2021 Trident Charter announced that they were to withdraw their
their winter service. This left Herm Island as the only operator for the winter,
and they quickly purchased BRECQHOU LASS to act as a back-
To cater for this turn of events a new company Herm Maritime Services Ltd was formed to manage the operation.
Travel Trident restarted in April 2022 and the two services operated side by side for that summer, and they again started in 2023, but on 13 June 2023 came a surprise announcement stating, that agreement had been reached between the two parties, and that Trident Charter would be the sole operator as from that date.
A statement by Herm Maritime Services said that “There are not enough passengers or qualified crew to support two ferry operators”.
So ended one of the shortest ferry operations between Guernsey and Herm.
Both Herm Island vessels were taken out of service, and laid up at St Samson’s, pending sale.
So Trident Charter again the sole operator on the route, and they had taken up service with the 07:45 departure from St. Peter Port that day..
ISLE OF HERM was last seen in service on 12 June, and she arrived in St. Peter Port at 17:00 and was laid up.
Herm Island and Herm Maritime Services Ltd., Vessels
2021 -
ISLE OF HERM
Built. Blyth Catamarans Ltd., Essex 7 -
Length 40 metre (45feet)
Engines 2 x Iveco 550hp engines, with MGX Gear boxes.
Passengers 70 Class V1
Cost £700,000
On 20 May 2021, Herm Island announced that it was to purchase a new ferry, costing £750,000, and stated it would allow “more flexibility” in travel to the Island. The vessel will run alongside existing services said CEO Mr. Craig Senior, “but will not be in competition with Trident Travel”.
The vessel was to be delivered on Wednesday 14 July, and will be “ an alternative to Trident Travel.”
The ISLE OF HERM as the vessel was named arrived in St Peter Port after a three three day voyage from the builders on 9 July 2019 and duly took up service.
Talks between the two parties had commenced, and were on going, but it was announced on October 7 2021 that the talks had reached stalemate and a war of words followed.
On 23 October 2021 Trident Charter announced that they were to withdraw their winter service, this left Herm Island as the only operator for the winter, and Herm Island had to quickly purchased a backup vessel.
Travel Trident restarted in April 2022 and the two services operated side by side, and as with the previous year Travel Trident ceased in the Autumn, and resumed in the Spring of 2023.
Then on June 15 (2023) came the surprise announcement that Trident Travel had come to and agreement with Herm Island and would again become the sole operator to the Island, operator to the Island, and Herm Island Maritime would withdraw.
It was ISLE OF HERM which closed the Herm Island Maritimes operation.
On June 12 ran the day’s schedule, arriving back at St. Peter Port at 17:00, and was laid up.
The vessel remained there until July 11 when she sailed at 14:02, arriving at St Sampson at 14:26, and was then placed ashore alongside HERM LASS.
The vessel was placed back in the water on 27 November 2023, and underwent a short trial in the Little Russell, before returning to harbour, and has not been seen at sea since.
Photo : Robert Le Maistre
ISLE OF HERM entering St. Peter Port 20 September 2022.
Photo Robert Le Maistre
St Peter Port inwards on 18 September 2022
HERM LASS (1) MMSI 235006543 2021 -
1975 Built on a Cheverton 50 hull
Propulsion 2 Rolls Royce 420hp engines giving a speed of 14 knots.
Passengers 48
Built in 1975 as BURRAY LASS, and used in Scotland before being purchased in 2002 to service the building project on the Island of Brecqhou being carried out by the Barclay Brothers, and was renamed BRECQHOU LASS. .
In late 2021 with the Brecqhou project complete there was a run down of the number of vessels required, and on November 3 it was announced that the vessel had been purchased by Herm Island as a backup vessel for it’s operation, and was duly renamed HERM LASS.
During that winter she spent time taking workers to the Island,and was last seen arriving at St Peter Port on May 2 May at 17:16.
She then laid over in St.Peter Port until 12 May when she proceeded to St Sampson arriving at 12:25.
Following the demise of the service she was placed ashore by 1 August.
The two vessels were then placed ashore awaiting sale.
Photo : Robert Le Maistre.
HERM LASS seen on the slipway in St Peter Port on 20 September 2022.
Photo : Robert Le Maistre.
Another view of HERM LASS on the slipway.
Picture © COPYRIGHT PHOTO ONE 0062ac
BRECQHOU LASS pictured when inbound from Brecqhou to St Peter Port on 27 August 2013.