Истрия транспортной компании "Острова Силли"

Transport company

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company (ISSC) operates the principal shipping service from Penzance, in Cornwall, to the Isles of Scilly, located 28 mile (45 km) to the southwest. It provides a year round cargo service together with a seasonal passenger service in summer. The name of the company's principal ferry, the Scillonian III, is perhaps better known than that of the company itself. The company is based in the Isles of Scilly Travel Centre Penzance. It also owns Isles of Scilly Skybus, an operator of fixed wing aircraft services to the Isles of Scilly, and sight seeing flights. In 2010, the company had close to 1,000 shareholders, around half of whom live on the Isles of Scilly. Due to the Isles of Scilly's remote location, the shipping service is often called 'a life line' for the archipelago.

From 1858 services were provided by the Scilly Isles Steam Navigation Company which was replaced in 1870 by the West Cornwall Steam Ship Company. This was wound up in 1907 and the services operated by John Banfield until 1917. For the rest of the First World War the services were operated by Government vessels. At the end of the war, a transport vacuum arose when the Ministry of Shipping withdrew the wartime service between St Mary's and Penzance. On 26 March 1920 the current Isles of Scilly Steamship Company was founded with £20,000 (equivalent to £ in ) raised by selling shares, mostly in the Isles of Scilly. The company was formed with the express purpose of securing a regular shipping service between the islands and the mainland. Initially services were operated by the Peninnis (ex HMS Argus), which the company purchased from the Admiralty Disposals for £8,000 (equivalent to £ in ). Following the necessary alterations at a cost of £5,000 (equivalent to £ in ) but refloated the next day, and kept in service until 1956. Following this ship Scillonian II entered into service in 1956, purpose built for the Steamship Company by John I Thornycroft & Company of Woolston, Southampton at a cost of £250,000, and was in service until 1977. A second ship operated for a while named Queen of the Isles. At approx 500 tons she was smaller than Scillonian II and was used to augment the larger ship at busy times. She was also used to run charter services to the Islands from other ports. On her sale she went to operate an inter island service in the Pacific. The present Scillonian III was also purpose built for the Steamship Company and entered into service in May 1977. Scillonian III is the third passenger ship of this name and currently in service for passengers and cargo 8 months of the year. Due to the number of tidal currents which meet off Lands End, and the need for a shallow draught to allow access to the Islands, the sea journey to Scilly can be rough. For this reason Scillonian III was fitted with a "Flume" antiroll stabilizer system. On 1 September 2009, the Steamship Company took over the lease to operate and manage Penzance Dry Dock. Established in 1834, it is one of the UK’s longest established dry docks and provides facilities for vessels requiring repair and conversion. It takes in 15 to 20 ships a year. At the Annual General Meeting in September 2010, the following corporate figures were published: During the previous fiscal year, Steamship Company craft had carried 73,000 passengers to Scilly by air and sea. This accounted for 61.4% of the total passenger market on the route between Scilly and the mainland. Isles of Scilly Skybus had a market share to 50.2% of all passengers flying to St Mary's. In February 2015, the Steamship Company acquired Island Carriers (also of the Porthmellon Industrial Estate) which provides haulage and courier services on the island.

After British International Helicopters ceased its service from Penzance in 2012, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company became the sole transport operator to the Isles of Scilly, until the launch of the new Penzance Helicopters service. In February 2017 a new Penzance Heliport was unanimously granted planning permission by the Cornwall Council to reinstate a helicopter service from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly. In May of the same year, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company began proceedings for a Judicial Review of the planning decision. These Judicial Review proceedings began after an anonymous appeal to the Secretary of State to review the planning permission failed a month earlier. The actions of the Steamship Company were widely condemned by businesses, residents, and visitors to Penzance and the Isles of Scilly. The judicial review was opposed by a petition started by an Isles of Scilly resident, which accumulated over 10,000 signatures in just a few days. Penzance Heliport resubmitted an amended planning application in January 2018. The planning application was successful and the new heliport was built, with the new Penzance Helicopters service starting flights to St Mary's and Tresco in March 2020. Following the objection to the Penzance Heliport plans, in February 2018 the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company announced its own helicopter service operating from Land's End, to begin in May 2018. This announcement met widespread condemnation from those aware of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company's actions. On 21 May 2018, the steamship company inaugurated its new service from Land's End Airport to St Mary’s with a 10 seater AgustaWestland AW169 helicopter. In October 2018 the company announced its Island Helicopters service would be taking a "winter break" but in February 2019 it was announced the service was being withdrawn completely.

In early 2007, press reports indicated that Cornwall County Council was expected to approved plans for the construction of a new roll on/roll off replacement ferry at a cost of £17.5 million. This vessel would be leased to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company and would replace both Scillonian III and Gry Maritha. A £42 million fleet development programme was revealed in April 2023, including the building of Scillonian IV and two new freight vessels, to be in service by March 2026. Following the development of a competing proposal from Belfast shipbuilder Harland & Wolff to run a service to the Scillies, the Steamship Company announced that its preferred contractor for the ferry and cargo ship was the Concarneau based shipbuilder Piriou.

Scillonian III — Passenger and cargo vessel purpose built in 1977 by Appledore Shipbuilders, Devon. Refitted in 2013. Gry Maritha — Cargo vessel built in Norway and acquired in 1989. The replacement vessel, Mali Rose was bought in 2016 but found unsuitable. The Gry Maritha, following three years of sporadic service when the Mali Rose was out of service, returned as the main cargo carrying vessel for the steamship company in May 2019. Lyonesse Lady — Inter island launch, purpose built in 1991 by Lochabar Marine to replace the MV Gugh (see below). Swift Lady — Inter island RIB, purpose built in 2004 by Redbay Boats, Northern Ireland.

Scillonian III operates a return service from March to November (Monday to Saturday, and some Sundays during July/August). She departs Penzance at 9.15am and returns from St. Mary's at 16.30pm, although these times may differ on certain dates due to tidal conditions, school holidays, and other events. The sailing time is approximately 2 hours 45 minutes. During the winter, when Scillonian III is out of service, a cargo service is provided by the Gry Maritha.