Leopardess due to return to Guernsey in early 2026

A boat used by Guernsey's States to protect local waters is set to return to the island in the new year after a £500,000 makeover.

The States had initially said it expected the Leopardess, Guernsey's sea fisheries protection vessel, to return before the end of 2025.

However, it is now expected to be back in the first quarter of 2026, as it will have to make a long journey from the Netherlands in rough seas.

The vessel has been out of action since the start of 2024.

When in service the Leopardess is used by the States of Guernsey to "act as a credible deterrent" to illegal fishing.

It has also been often used by other agencies such as the prison service to transport prisoners from Guernsey to the UK and Guernsey Police.

A Freedom of Information request, submitted by the BBC on 25 July 2025, about the boats that have been used in the interim has not yet been responded to.

In March 2024, the States announced that up to £560,000 of funds recovered from criminal proceeds would be spent refurbishing the vessel.

Earlier that year, concerns were raised by politicians that it did not have the right code compliance certificate to go to sea.

A lack of space at the shipyard where the boat was created led to delays in it being able to be sent for repairs.

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