Guernsey and Jersey are jointly spending £1 million each month to maintain a standby ferry service, Guernsey authorities report.
Deputy Lyndon Trott, president of Policy and Resources, told the BBC that the expenditure is necessary to ensure a backup ferry service is available in emergencies. Earlier this year, an agreement was made to charter the Arrow, a 122-meter (400-foot) ship based in the Isle of Man.
The Arrow is one of several vessels designated for potential contingency use and could transport essential supplies to and from the islands if needed. "In politics, you must plan for the worst and hope for the best," said Trott. "Unfortunately, this comes with costs we all wish were avoidable. The consequences could be severe if we were unprepared in a crisis."
Owned by the Isle of Man Steam Packet Company, the Arrow is currently stationed in Douglas. Built in 1998 and sailing under the UK flag, it has the capacity to carry 66 trailers up to 14 meters (46 feet) and accommodate 12 passengers.
The Isle of Man Steam Packet Company has been contacted for comment.