Harland & Wolff announced yesterday that Scilly Ferries, including the Atlantic Wolff fast ferry, has ceased operations because of the need for the group to refocus on core functions.
In response to the announcement, Chairman of Council, Councillor Robert Francis, said: ‘I am hugely disappointed that Harland & Wolff has been unable to bring its new fast passenger ferry service into operation. The company has worked over a number of years, initially with the current operator and more recently the community and businesses on the islands, to gain a good understanding of the operational challenges of the route and how people would like to see the service improved.
This was reflected in its plans to provide a new service which was closely aligned to the needs of the community, businesses and visitors to the islands; with faster crossings, more time on the islands for our day visitors, earlier departures for those travelling back to the mainland, a community travel scheme and competitive fares.
We are currently in a very difficult situation on the islands. Passenger fares and freight costs are simply unaffordable now and are due to rise further in the future. Our community is struggling to afford to get to the mainland for family, health, education and other important reasons and visitor numbers, which are key to our economic survival, are falling. As a Council we are continuing to work flat out and engage the new Government in helping us secure affordable sea links both to the mainland and between the five islands in order that our community can have a sustainable future.
I would like to thank everyone involved at Harland & Wolff, the harbour authorities on St Mary’s and in Penzance and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency, for all the work they have done over many months to get the fast catamaran 'Atlantic Wolff' ready to start operating on the route.
Whilst the announcement yesterday was not good news for everyone who has worked so hard to introduce the new service and all those who were hoping to benefit from it, we must now ensure the legacy of this work is that standards of service are set for any company operating on the route from this point onwards."