New plan for Scillies route
THE row over the proposed new terminal for the ferry between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has taken another twist with plans announced to set up another service linking the archipelago with the mainland.
Charlie Cartwright, former chief executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company which operates the current ferry, the Scillonian, says his 365-passenger vessel could help "increase the day-tripping market" to the island by offering a 90-minute journey time between the two destinations.
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The ship, Cloud 10, would initially operate from Albert Pier in Penzance, although Mr Cartwright said he would also consider running services to St Mary's from other Cornish mainland destinations such as Newquay.
The proposal is the latest move in the sage surrounding Penzance Harbour, which Cornwall Council's Route Partnership wants to modernise to update transport links between the isles and the Cornish mainland.
Current plans to modernise the ferry link have divided public opinion.
Some local campaigners, supporters of Friends of Penzance Harbour, want to prevent any works which they say will have a detrimental impact on the historic docks, including "obliterating a much-loved beach", at Battery Rocks. However, the council denies this, saying there will be no detrimental impact to the environment, townscape, or seascape.
Work is now planned to carry out further site investigation works off the end of Lighthouse Pier at Penzance using a marine drilling rig, something which John Maggs, of campaign group Friends of Penzance Harbour, has described as "disrespectful" to residents who are "overwhelmingly against the scheme".
He added: "Cornwall Council must now stop wasting time and taxpayers money on this ill-conceived scheme, withdraw the current planning applications, and get on with redesigning the scheme to fit the needs and aspirations not just of the Scillies but of Penzance too."
Mr Cartwright said his own plans for the transport link are not at such an advanced stage and admitted the next stage may depend on how the Route Partnership's proposals progress.
He said: "The Cloud 10 idea is on hold at the moment until we get an update on what the Route Partnership plans to do. There are various hoops to go through before we can see Cloud 10 operating from Cornwall, but its owners are very keen for the vessel to be earning its keep again."
Cloud 10 was previously used in America, where it ran regular trips between Florida and the Bahamas. It was built in Southampton and dispatched to America three years ago.
Asked whether Cloud 10 would pose any threat to the Scillonian, Mr Cartwright said: "We would not be in direct competition. What I want to do is provide an enhancement to the current transport links and increase visitors to the islands.
"There are few sights as spectacular as the sun setting off Lands End, and we could allow customers to see that."
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Company was asked for its views but it had not responded at the time of going to press.
10 Comments
by John Maggs (FoPzH), Penzance
Friday, December 04 2009, 10:09PM
“Not me Thomas.”
by TimV, Pz
Friday, December 04 2009, 3:14PM
“Cornwall Council has been severely criticised recently, for the way it manages its Fire Service, the way it protects children, the way it looks after the elderly in care homes, and how it organised the airport. To this impressive list must be added the fiasco relating to the Scilly Link and Penzance Harbour Development. One is reminded of Oscar Wilde's observation that, "To lose one parent may be regarded as a misfortune; to lose both looks like carelessness". This story is yet another nail in a misconceived and mismanaged project, yet still the Route Partnership plough on, unrepentant, undaunted, towards the rocks. To most people this will appear not careless but positively reckless.”
by Steve, PZ
Friday, December 04 2009, 1:40PM
“I wouldn¿t bother if I was him. As soon as he has invested all his money and done all the work in setting this up the government will come along and slap a environment tax on every ticket making it so expensive that nobody will be able to afford it.”
by Thomas Lawson, Scilly
Friday, December 04 2009, 1:29PM
“John (Maggs I presume), so what if Mr Cartwright is interested in financial gain? He may not, but then again he might be, that's not a sin is it John? You tell me, you seem to tell everyone else what to think anyway so why stop now lad?”
by Simon, Penzance
Friday, December 04 2009, 11:50AM
“According to the sale website, the ship is certified for 12ft seas. What is the current Scillonian certified to?
"It is certificated to carry 365 passengers with baggage and cargo. The vessel range is 200 nm and was certified by United States Coast Guard to operate in seas up to 4.0 meters."”
by Geoff Hamer, London
Friday, December 04 2009, 8:49AM
“This catamaran is for sale in Florida when it seems to have been laid-up for over two years. In fact, the owners advertise that it has been used for only six months since being built in 2002.
http://www.cloudx.com/sale.php
The reason would lie partly with the gas turbine propulsion which means fuel costs are very high.
I cannot image it would cope with the sea conditions on the Scilly route.”
by bill, Truro
Thursday, December 03 2009, 8:42PM
“More drilling rigs and seabed surveys! What are they playing at?
If you're gonna build then build. If you're not, move on to pastures new and let the competition commence!
The monopolistic nature of Scilly Ltd needs a good seeing to I reckon.
To the 'anti' lobby, why don't you find something productive to do with your time?”
by will, pz
Thursday, December 03 2009, 8:16PM
“WELL SAID JOHN”
by Eddie - Penzance, PENZANCE
Thursday, December 03 2009, 2:07PM
“Cornwall Council always assumed that there would be no competition to its proposed Scillonian IV. While the prospect of a passenger only vessel was always a risk, the prospect of a freight only competitor was always a certainty given the additional overheads of a large combined passenger/freight vessel.
Scillonian IV would appear to be dead in the water unless Cornwall Council is going to steam ahead regardless and cripple Cornish ratepayers with the £20million-plus cost of Scillonian IV. A ship of this size could not be run commercially without a massive subsidy from someone.
In the light of this new development the whole scheme needs to be looked at again. Not to do so would, in my opinion, be criminal.”
by fisherman sam, Pentrungle
Thursday, December 03 2009, 12:49PM
“A catamaran type vessel providing a faster link both for Scillonians to go shopping on the mainland, and for day trippers from Cornwall to go to Scilly and have longer (to spend their money) on a visit to the islands , would seem to make sense !!”