{{Short description|Shipping company based in Guernsey}} {{Use dmy dates|date=March 2018}} {{Use British English|date=March 2018}} {{infobox company | name = Travel Trident | logo = | type = Limited | image = Ferry approaching the Rosaire Landing, Herm - geograph.org.uk - 87.jpg | image_alt = | image_caption = ''Trident V'' approaching Rosaire Steps, Herm | genre = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = 1968 | founder = | defunct = | location_city = | location_country = | headquarters = St Peter Port, Guernsey | area_served = Channel Islands | key_people = Peter Wilcox (Managing Director) | industry = | products = | services = Passenger transportation | revenue = | operating_income = | net_income = | aum = | assets = | equity = | owners = | num_employees = | parent = | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|traveltrident.com}} | footnotes = | intl = }}

The '''Trident Charter Company Limited'''<ref>{{cite web |title=About Us |url=https://www.traveltrident.com/about-us.htm |work=Trident Charter Company Ltd |access-date=2026-03-13}}</ref>, trading as '''Travel Trident''' and commonly known as '''Trident''', is a shipping company based in St Peter Port, Guernsey that operates small passenger ferries between Guernsey and the island of Herm.

==History== The Trident Charter Company Limited was founded in 1968 and began operations the following summer between Guernsey and Herm in 1969.<ref name=cis>{{cite web |title=Trident Charter Co. Ltd. |url=http://www.channelislandsshipping.je/page26.html#top |website=Channel Islands Shipping |access-date=2026-03-12}}</ref>

In 2021, the island of Herm purchased two of its own ferries, the newly-built ''Isle of Herm''<ref>{{cite news |date=2021-07-12 |title=Herm Island takes delivery of new boat |url=https://www.bailiwickexpress.com/news-ge/herm-island-takes-delivery-new-boat/ |work=Bailiwick Express |publisher=All Island Media Ltd |access-date=2026-03-12}}</ref>, and later the ''Brecqhou Lass'', renaming the vessel to the ''Herm Lass''.<ref>{{cite news |last=Ogier |first=Mark |date=2021-11-03 |title=Herm Island buys Brecqhou Lass as back-up ferry |url=https://guernseypress.com/news/2021/11/03/herm-island-buys-brecqhou-lass-as-back-up-ferry |work=Guernsey Press |access-date=2026-03-12}}</ref> Trident's manager and director, Peter Wilcox, accused the management of Herm of becoming "commercially aggressive," which led to the cancellation of winter sailings operated by Trident.<ref>{{cite news |last=de la Rue |first=Simon |date=2021-09-24 |title=Travel Trident ceases winter sailings to Herm |url=https://guernseypress.com/news/2021/09/24/travel-trident-ceases-winter-sailings-to-herm |work=Guernsey Press |access-date=2026-03-12}}</ref>

On 14 June 2023, the service operated by Herm ended.<ref>{{cite news |date=2023-06-13 |title=Isle of Herm ferry service to stop |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-65888432 |work=BBC News |access-date=2026-03-12}}</ref> Trident agreed to sign a five-year deal with Herm to run a year-round service, which would see the return of winter sailings, as well as a great number of sailings in the winter months than previously.<ref>{{cite news |date=2023-06-16 |title=Travel Trident boss excited by new Herm ferry contract |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-guernsey-65919404 |work=BBC News |access-date=2026-03-12}}</ref>

In December 2025, Trident expressed interest in operating services to Sark. Currently, ferries to Sark are operated by the Isle of Sark Shipping Company, which at the time had been criticised for scaling back its winter timetable due to financial pressures.<ref>{{cite news |last=Brown |first=Andy |date=2025-12-11 |title=Travel Trident could look to run Sark trips |url=https://guernseypress.com/news/2025/12/11/travel-trident-could-look-to-run-sark-trips |work=Guernsey Press |access-date=2026-03-12}}</ref>

==Fleet== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" ! Ship ! Vessel type ! Built ! Entered service ! References |- | ''Trident V'' || Catamaran || 1989 || 1989 || <ref name=cis /> |- | ''Trident VI'' || Catamaran || 1991 || 1991 || <ref name=cis /> |}

==Accidents and incidents== ===''Norman Commodore'' collision with the ''Trident VI''=== In 1994, the ''Herm Trident VI'' was at anchor when it was rammed and effectively demolished by the ''Norman Commodore'' when she lost engine control.<ref name=cis /> The ''Trident VI'' was rebuilt and re-entered service in 1995.

===''Trident VI'' grounding===

On 23 August 2003, in poor visibility, the ''Herm Trident VI'' ran aground on Percée Rocks near Herm Island.<ref>[http://www.maib.gov.uk/publications/investigation_reports/2004/trident_VI.cfm Marine Accident Investigation Branch report]. (The full report is available as a PDF file linked from this page) Retrieved on 2007-11-23.</ref> The vessel remained afloat, and the 179 passengers were safely evacuated onto the ''Herm Trident V''. The ferry then made its way to St Peter Port under its own steam.<ref name="bbc">{{cite news|url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/guernsey/3459681.stm|title=Safety assurances after ferry report|access-date=2007-11-23|publisher=BBC News | date=2004-02-05}}</ref>

===2016 ''Trident V'' groundings===

In 2016, the ''Trident V'' ran aground on two separate occasions.

The first occurred on 22 April 2016, when the vessel, with three crew and 35 passengers, struck a reef in the Alligande Passage (the most direct route between St Peter Port Harbour and Herm Harbour) at low tide whilst sailing from Guernsey.<ref name=bbccrash>{{cite news |date=2016-08-05 |title=Damning boat crash report finds multiple errors |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-guernsey-36967800 |work=BBC News |access-date=2026-03-13}}</ref> No one was injured, but the impact damaged the propeller and starboard shaft. It was found that the crew failed to declare an emergency via radio, instead using a mobile phone to summon assistance from the ''Trident VI'' and a harbour workboat, delaying a potential coordinated response.<ref name=bbccrash /> Passengers received a brief announcement, but no formal evacuation procedures were followed, and the vessel returned to port for repairs.<ref name=bbccrash />

The second incident took place on 8 June 2016. This time carrying 19 passengers and three crew, the ''Trident V'' ran aground in the Alligande Passage for the second time due to navigational deviation in fog.<ref name=report>{{cite report|title=Report on the Investigation of the grounding of the passenger ferry Trident V In the Alligande Passage, approaches to Herm Island On 08 June 2016 |url=https://harbours.gg/CHttpHandler.ashx?id=104973&p=0 |work=The Bailiwick of Guernsey's Maritime Administration |access-date=2026-03-13}}</ref> Travelling at 12.5 knots, the vessel stopped abruptly with a loud impact, causing it to swing. Passengers were evacuated onto the St Peter Port lifeboat, while the damaged vessel was towed back by the workboat ''Sarnia''.<ref name=report /> There were no injuries. Damage included distortion to the skeg, rudder, propeller, and hull plating, leading to suspension of the safety certificate and the master's license for three months.<ref name=report /> The Bailiwick of Guernsey Marine Administration report cited complacency from repetitive voyages, inadequate passage planning for low tide and visibility, and unadjusted radar settings as key factors.<ref name=report />

Both of these incidents saw immediate action from Trident, including improved training and procedural updates, though the investigations did highlight ongoing risks from non-adherence to emergency protocols.<ref>{{cite news |date=2016-08-05 |title=Trident crash investigation exposes serious failings |url=https://guernseypress.com/news/2016/08/05/trident-crash-investigation-exposes-serious-failings |work=Guernsey Press |access-date=2026-03-13 }}</ref>

==References== <references/>

==External links== *[http://www.traveltrident.com/ Official website].

Category:Ferry companies of Guernsey Category:Herm

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