Tanker competition winner Adi Byrne at St Sampson’s this morning with soon-to-be-renamed fuel transporter the Vedrey Tora. Mr Byrne put forward Sarnia Cherie and Sarnia Liberty as new names for the Tora and her sister ship, the Vedrey Thor, both of which were bought by the States at the end of last year. (Picture by Adrian Miller, 0738578)

THE end of the German Occupation influenced the winning entries in a competition to choose new names for the island’s oil tankers.

The States bought the Vedrey Thor and the Vedrey Tora at the end of last year to safeguard oil supplies.

A competition was launched through the Guernsey Press to find new names for them and Cable & Wireless mobile phone network engineer Adi Byrne won both of the £150 prizes with his suggestions of Sarnia Cherie and Sarnia Liberty.

‘Because the two ships are almost a lifeline, I drew a connection with those that came to liberate the island after the war,’ he said.

Mr Byrne said he briefly considered Sarnia and Cherie as individual names but was aware of other boats that bore the former.

‘I thought older people would connect with liberty while they would also appreciate Sarnia Cherie.

‘I’m proud to think that I’ve named two ships that will serve Guernsey.’