Project Development
The Isles of Scilly Link is a combination of projects (harbours and vessel) which together will secure the future continuation of a sea service between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly.
Transport plays a central role in the everyday island life. The maintenance of safe and dependable links to mainland, is critical to the survival of the community for both personal transport and for the movement of goods.
Sea transport is the preferred method of conveying freight and offers a means of transport for passengers with the ability to operate in conditions of poor visibility when air travel is suspended. Two vessels currently operate between Penzance, Cornwall and St Mary's, Isles of Scilly; an all year round freight vessel and a summer service passenger vessel.
Some of the existing inadequacies of Penzance and St Mary’s harbours are:
- lack of proper working area;
- conflict between passenger and freight activities;
- frequent overtopping of the sea walls by the sea;
- traffic congestion due to freight activities;
- need for enhanced security;
- insufficient freight storage facilities.
One of the conditions of the funding for the harbour works is to ensure all mechanisms are in place for a continued and sustainable sea service.
A new vessel has been designed that is capable of conveying freight and passengers efficiently between Penzance and St Mary’s. This vessel will be 10m longer than the current Scillonian III (26m longer than the Gry Maritha) and able to operate all year round.
The new vessel is planned to commence service in April 2013. The vessel and shore side facilities have been designed to handle the full range of goods currently conveyed by sea between Penzance and St Mary’s. This includes food and drink, vehicles and gigs, livestock and fuel – in fact anything needed to sustain a community.