The Seacat is being chartered on a long-term basis says the firm

A Seacat catamaran has been chartered from Hoverspeed to replace Solidor 5, which is being repaired.

The new vessel was due to be tested in island waters early this week, but it is still in Belfast.

Emeraude's Jersey manager, Gordon Forrest, says the boat's rear doors have to be modified so it can dock properly in Jersey and St Malo.

Costs dispute

The 74m catamaran, which can carry 80 cars, had been due to arrive in Jersey on Monday and was expected to have its first sailing on Wednesday.

Solidor 5 has been held in Cherbourg in a dispute over winter servicing costs.

The problems with the Solidor 5 are the latest in a series of blows for Emeraude, which was bought out last year by French firm Sogestran.

Then there were arguments over whether it owned the Solidor 5 and the news that rival firm Condor would be directly competing with it.

Then the Solidor 5 went in for its scheduled winter service, only to be held in Cherbourg in a dispute over who pays for engine servicing next year.

Emeraude put the Solidor 4 back on the route, but that developed engine problems and its sailings were cancelled.