Condor Rapide alongside in St Peter Port. (0982529)

A ‘LAUNCH’ party was held aboard Condor Rapide yesterday to officially mark the introduction of the company’s newest fast ferry to local waters.

The 86-metre catamaran took over from Condor 10 on the Guernsey-Jersey-St Malo route last week.

The party for 120 invited guests carried the theme of three, representing the three ports the vessel will service and its capability to carry three times as many cars as its predecessor.

Condor chairman Gordon Parsons said the company had been in its current ownership since September 2008 and its investment criteria was all about the long-term.

Condor Rapide has previously operated in Australia and the English Channel. Most notably, the Royal Australian Navy used it when it was known as HMAS Jervis Bay. During that time it was part of an international peace-keeping force helping East Timor maintain its independence, transporting troops, delivering aid, and rescuing people.