PLAIN sailing continues to evade the Condor Liberation today, after ferry chiefs confirmed ongoing maintenance work has affected its schedule for the second day running.

The 50m vessel was delayed in Poole on Monday, after maintenance work on its ride control system overran from the previous night.

This morning Condor Ferries confirmed today's sailing from Poole to Guernsey did depart at 8.30am as scheduled, but that its arrival into Guernsey would be delayed.

The twin-hulled ferry's ride control system, when fully operative, reduces roll, pitch and sway.

This in turn helps reduce seasickness and lessens stress and wear on the ship.

A Condor Ferries spokesman said: "Unfortunately due to this delay, Liberation will operate to Guernsey only in order to comply with crew hours of rest regulations.

"Inter islands travellers including those from Jersey to Poole are being offered high speed travel on Condor Rapide, ensuring our customers are able to complete their travel today.

"Condor Liberation will serve the Guernsey - UK leg later this afternoon. We apologise to passengers for the inconvenience caused."

On Monday passengers were forced to wait almost one hour and 45 minutes before the ferry was able to eventually sail for the Channel Islands.

This issue comes less than a month after Maritime and Coastguard Agency experts discovered 11 safety deficiencies with the Liberation.

It later emerged four of these safety deficiencies were serious enough in their own right to give grounds to detain the ship.

On that occasion the vessel was barred from leaving Poole for three days.

Condor Liberation, which carries a flag of convenience for the Bahamas, was only able to sail after passing a second full safety inspection