Scilly Boats

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	Isles of Scilly Local Inter-Island Boats - Page 2: 2008/2009 Fleet Each image links to a larger copy which opens in a new window/tab
	In 2009 the inter island boat services on Scilly are provided by three main types of operator. These are the St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association, a co-operative running a fleet of large launches, a number of independent operators, also on St Mary’s, running smaller boats for up to 12 passengers, and the off-island operators based on St Agnes, Bryher and St Martin’s. St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association The association is a co-operative; skippers each own their own boats but share out the provision of services and the revenue generated. Boats run between the five main islands, out of St Mary’s and on demand, with no need to book in advance. Association boats also go to uninhabited Samson, Bishop Light & Western Rocks, Norrard Rocks and Eastern Isles. Trips run in the evening to follow gig races and to St Agnes for supper. The current fleet of 10 vessels has run unchanged since 2003. 5 of the boats are the traditional open wooden launches with a capacity of 70-80 passengers. 3 of them, Britannia (1944), Guiding Star (1933) and Sea King (1947) are completely open with a flush deck foc’sle and a small windscreen. Golden Spray III(1947) and Surprise (1945) have a small open back wheelhouse forward. The other 5 vessels are more modern. Sea Horse (1997) has a traditional wooden hull with a large enclosed saloon and bridge above. She is the Association’s all-weather boat. The remaining 4 vessels share a common GRP hull from Kingfisher Boats, Penryn, Cornwall. Kingfisher of St Mary’s (1995) was the first, with a completely open hull and a small central wheelhouse forward. Sapphire (2000) came next, very similar with a wider wheelhouse. On Osprey of St Mary's of St Mary’s (2003) the wheelhouse was extended rearwards and a flying bridge created above. Finally Meridian (2003) extended the flying bridge still further to the rear, permitting a limited number of passengers at high level. For a while the Association flirted with the RIB concept but the experience was not a happy one and their RIB has now passed to Bryher Boat Services q.v. below. St Mary’s Independent Operators A few owner operators offer a variety of trips from St Mary’s. As well as the main islands, they also go to some of the uninhabited islands and offer cruises seeking wildlife. Blue Hunter (Paul Osborne) offers a range of day and evening trips as well as charters and private hire. Calypso II (Tim Fortey) is a Mitchell 31 Mk III running a variety of day and evening trips. Crusader (Paul Hicks) is a Mitchell 31 Mk II offering a variety of scenic trips. Firebrand IV is an RIB offering Shipwreck and Wildlife Safaris Sea Quest (Alfred Hicks) is Glass Bottom Boat offering trips with a wildlife emphasis. All these boats are restricted to 12 passengers and require advance booking. Off Island Operators Bryher Boat Services Bryher Boat Services link Bryher and Tresco, which has no boat operator of its own, to the remainder of Scilly. Bryher’s fleet consists of two conventional vessels, Faldore II (1981) and Firethorn of Bryher (1991). They run two small RIBs Cyclone and Hurricane, effectively as water taxis. Hurricane formerly ran for the Boatmen’s Association on St Mary’s as Wizard. They also have a large RIB Tornado, which runs fast pleasure trips similar to Firebrand IV on St Mary’s. St Agnes Boating, D. V. Peacock The St Agnes fleet comprises Spirit of St Agnes (1994), the only multi hull on the islands and Enterprise of St Agnes (1986). St Agnes is separated from the rest of the islands by deep water, which may explain the preference for a multi hull vessel there. Enterprise of St Agnes formerly ran at St Martin’s from 1993 to 2007 as Enterprise. T. A. Perkins, St Martin’s The St Martin’s boat is Voyager of St Martin’s (1996). Mr. Perkins also runs the RIB Lightning, which is almost identical to Cyclone and Hurricane on Bryher. Other Inter Island Vessels Other vessels, which sail between the islands, but do not generally carry passengers except for the first named include – Star of Life – the islands’ Ambulance Launch Pegasus – an RIB virtually identical to those run from Bryher and St Martin’s. Like them a Class D, Ocean Dynamics, RIBworker from Mustang Marine. Lyonesse Lady (1991) – the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company’s inter island freight vessel delivering from St Mary’s to the off islands. Built by Lochaber Marine, freight capacity 16 tonnes, she has her own crane, a stern ramp and covering for 12 passengers. She replaced the Gugh, a Royal Navy built launch of 1944, which had run in Scilly for 30 years. Swift Lady – a Stormforce RIB from Redbay Boats, used by IOSS Co. for carrying mail and making express deliveries to off islands. There is also a new Medical Support Launch, name unknown, to convey doctors, paramedics etc. between islands. Former Passenger Vessels in evidence 2009 Swordfish – Town Beach, St Mary’s Vanguard or Springfield? – Town Beach, St Mary’s Wanderer – Boatyard, Porthloo, St Mary’s All believed to have been once licensed for 12 passengers.

The Association was formed in the winter of 1957/8 when a number of the operators decided to work together. Original vessels in the group were the Nemo, Kingsley, Busy Bee, Sapphire, Gloria, Seahorse and Lily of Laguna from independent operators, plus the Gondolier and Golden Spray III belonging to the Steamship Company. The Association is a co-operative in terms of setting fares, pooling receipts and operating services with each member retaining ownership of his boat.

Over the years there have been many changes to the fleet. In 1959 the Sheppey Queen was run for one season. In 1963 the Sapphire was replaced by the Guiding Star and the Seahorse by the Sea King. 1964 saw new vessels Swordfish, Southern Queen, Gloria I and Gloria II arrive, though the last two were replaced by the Britannia the following year. Soon after the Surprise replaced Nemo.

In 1968 the Steamship Company left the Association and the Gondolier left the islands. The Black Swan joined around the same time. In the early 1970s the Kingsley II replaced the smaller Kingsley, and in 1977 the independent Buccaneer came into the fold. All the large launches were now in the Association. At this time all the launches were broadly of a type – diesel engined, open boats of 40-50’ length, steered from the bow, some with a small wheelhouse. Things were now to change

In the early 1990s Swordfish II withdrew from the Association and for some years operated as a party boat licensed for twelve passengers only. Southern Queen, a Dunkirk Little Ship, was for sale in late 1994 and after a threat to burn her, has now been restored on the mainland. Her replacement Kingfisher of St Mary’s was the first of the new generation of vessels and came from Kingfisher Boats, Falmouth, one of their K50 class. In 2000 Lily of Laguna was replaced by another Kingfisher boat, Sapphire. She was almost identical to Kingfisher of St Mary’s but had a larger wheelhouse. Meanwhile a new wooden vessel Seahorse had been built on the islands in 1997 and she gave the Association an all-weather, enclosed vessel for the first time. In 2003 two more Kingfisher boats arrived, Osprey of St Mary's replacing Buccaneer, and Meridian replacing Kingsley II. The latest G50 boats had a flying bridge and could be steered from either level with Meridian also having some passenger accommodation at the upper level.

At this point Buccaneer, Kingsley II and Black Swan (which had been in and out of the Association over the years), left Scilly for Falmouth where Cornwall Ferries employed them on their Park and Float service for the National Maritime Museum and occasionally on the St Mawes Ferry.

The 2009 fleet consisted of ten vessels, five traditional wooden launches, one all-weather wooden vessel and four modern GRP boats.

Britannia – Built Admiralty, Scotland 1944. 47’, 72 passengers. Skipper, David Badcock. Association member since 1967.
Golden Spray III – Built 1947, Margate. 45’, 72 passengers. Skipper, Roy Duncan. To Association from Steamship Co. c1968
Guiding Star – Built 1933, Mitchell Porthmellon. 50’, 72 passengers. Skipper, Joe Badcock. Oldest of the current fleet and 42 years ownership with same family. Owned by Millbrook Co from 1947
Kingfisher of St Mary's – Built 1995, Kingfisher Boats, Falmouth as a K50 and the first of the new wave. 49’, 80 passengers. Skipper, Alec Hicks.
Meridian – Built 2003, Kingfisher Boats, most recent of the K50s. 50’, 100 passengers. Skipper, Jeremy Phillips
Osprey of St Mary's – Built 2003, Kingfisher Boats, K50. 50’, 93 passengers. Skipper, Andy Howells
Sapphire – Built 2000, Kingfisher Boats, K50. 50’, 90 passengers. Skipper, Joe Pender.
Seahorse – Built 1997, Peter Martin, St. Mary’s, all-weather boat of traditional wooden construction. 58’, 100 passengers. Skipper, Stephen Hicks.
Sea King – Built 1947, Mashford, Millbrook, Cornwall. 57’, 85 passengers. Skipper, Fraser Hicks.
Surprise – Built 1945, Admiralty, Christchurch. 46’, 72 passengers. Skipper, Gerald Thompson.

	Isles of Scilly Pages Isles of Scilly Inter-Island Postcards Scilly Fleet in 2008/2009 - this page Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Sections on this Page St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association St Mary’s Independent Operators Off Island Operators Other Vessels Vessels on this Page Britannia - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association Golden Spray III - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association Guiding Star - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association Kingfisher of St Mary's - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association Meridian - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association Osprey of St Mary's - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association Sapphire - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association Seahorse - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association Sea King - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association Surprise - St Mary’s Boatmen’s Association	Other West Country Simplon Pages:- Cornwall Header Page Falmouth 2008 Overview Falmouth Pleasure Cruises Falmouth - Pill Family Flushing Ferry Newman's Cruises St Mawes Ferry Greenway Ferry Associated Simplon Pages Cruise Ships Ocean Liners UK Excursion Vessels World Ferry Fleets Simplon Postcards. Home Page Simplon Postcards - Recent Updates References Trip Out Guides - Written and published by G.P.Hamer - editions from 1977 to 2007 Trip Out Guides are available from Geoffrey Hamer, PO Box 485, Southall, UB1 9BH Passenger Steamers of the Rover Fal - Alan Kittridge - Twelveheads Press, 1988 Steamers & Ferries of Cornwall & the Isles of Scilly - Alan Kittridge - Tempus, 2004 My thanks to Graham Thorne, Geoff Hamer, John Hendy and John Pill for assistance with this page Contacts
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