Much-loved ferry in final season after 49 years

A much-loved ferry that has been connecting a remote island archipelago with the UK mainland for nearly 50 years is in its last season.

The Scillonian III started sailing between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly in 1977 and has provided a vital lifeline for the islands, carrying cargo and people in all weathers.

The veteran ship will make its last trip in November before being sold. Its replacement is currently nearing completion in a shipyard in Vietnam.

The company that runs the service is planning a series of events to mark 49 years of service with the crew and passengers keen to mark the end of an era.

The mood aboard the Scillonian III was cheerful in the June sunshine as the ship steamed out of Penzance harbour with its familiar "toots" on the siren echoing off the granite breakwaters.

The 68m (223ft) long ship was built at Appledore shipyard in north Devon, specifically to serve the Isles of Scilly.

It has a shallow draught of about 10ft (3m) to allow it to enter the harbours at Penzance and St Mary's when the tide is low, but its flat bottom means the crossing can be notoriously bumpy in rough weather.

Dan Morris works as an air traffic controller at the tiny airport on St Mary's - the main island of the Isles of Scilly - but chooses to sail, not fly to work.

"The Scillonian is just this beautiful, essential link for the locals, it's just so special," he said.

"It's the first way people see the islands, it's almost poetic in nature, it's lovely."

Viv Robinson, from Redruth, works as a Blue Badge guide and organises trips to Scilly so is well accustomed to the voyage.

She said: "I go right back to when I was a child because I'm Cornish, I live on the mainland and we had our family holidays over here."

She said she preferred the ship to helicopters or fixed-wing aircraft.

"You see the coastline, there's always something to look out for with the wildlife as well.

"It's just part of Scilly."

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has been running a ship bearing the name Scillonian since 1926.

The third ship to bear the name has made more than 10,000 trips and welcomed its five millionth passenger on board in May 2024.

The group's CEO Stuart Reid said: "This ship is part of the furniture in Penzance and has a really special place in people's hearts.

"Some people have been working on board all of their working life.

"When she does sail off into the sunset for a new adventure, all of us will certainly be a little bit sad."

The bridge of the vessel has an old-fashioned ship's telegraph and a wooden steering wheel but also has modern navigation equipment and monitors.

Ship's master Andy Buchanan has been at the helm for more than 20 years during two stints on board the Scillonian.

He said: "There have been some technology updates but there is something beautiful and analogue about the old girl, she's also ultra reliable."

As the vessel nears Land's End there is a three or four metre swell and the bow rises and falls on the waves, some crashing over the top and spraying the front of the ship.

Buchanan said: "This is about a four out of 10 on the scale of rough crossings, I certainly remember the really rough ones, there's a real sense of relief when we berth up in St Mary's."

The journey can take between two hours 45 minutes and three hours each way.

Gail Dunkley is the ship's purser, looking after the passengers and the staff who run the two on board cafes.

She said: "There's so much love for this ship, it's like no other ferry in the world, there's even a fan page on Facebook with over 4,000 members.

"It's a double-edged sword for me, it'll be really sad to see her go but I'm excited to see the Scillonian IV.

Matthew Uren, who is a cook on board Scillonian III, said: "I grew up in Penzance and it's been here for all of my life, she's such a beautiful old girl and it's a great place to work."

Lining up the replacement for the vital passenger ferry, and its cargo-carrying counterpart Gry Maritha, has taken years and caused a great deal of concern and controversy on Scilly.

The newly-named Scillonian IV has been floated out of dry dock in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, and is being being fitted out before undergoing sea trials.

It is expected to leave in November and sail 8,000 miles (12,874 km) around the southern tip of Africa to Scilly.

The new cargo ship Menewethen has already arrived in Penzance and will come into service in July, once its crew have got used to their new vessel.

Both the Scillonian III and the Gry Maritha have been put up for sale - their futures uncertain once their final season of service is complete.

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