HD FERRIES has had its ramp permit suspended in Jersey. The authorities there refused to let its only ship, HD1, out of the harbour.

The action followed a safety inspection by Port State Control.

The permit, issued to the company and Northern Marine, the ship’s managers, will not be reinstated until all matters uncovered have been addressed to the satisfaction of the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and Jersey Harbours.

Howard Le Cornu, Jersey Harbour’s chief executive and harbour master, said passenger safety was paramount.

‘As a result of the initial investigations we have no option other than to delay the boat from sailing until the deficiencies have been addressed,’ he said.

‘However, taking into account the busy summer period, we, like HD Ferries, wish to see these issues overcome as soon as possible and will do everything we can to facilitate this.’

Although it appears the structural damage sustained by the ship will be repaired during the weekend, issues regarding certification of the crew have still to be addressed.

Guernsey’s harbour master Captain Peter Gill backed the action. ‘You don’t detain a ship lightly, so I would imagine there are very good reasons for it,’ he said.

‘The vessel will be accepted in Guernsey as soon as the deficiencies have been addressed.’

The ship, which has been operating with three out of four jets, has had a nightmare summer.

It was involved in a collision last Saturday evening with a Condor vessel moored in Jersey. The collision caused the damage that resulted in this week’s inspection.

‘The inspection was a routine follow-up after a collision like the one it had last Saturday,’ said Captain Gill.

That accident was the vessel’s second since the company started services to France in March.

HD Ferries was unavailable for comment yesterday.