A new ferry service between mainland Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has been scrapped for good before it even started. Scilly Ferries and its bright yellow and black catamaran were due to begin business this summer after a series of delays. But it has now been announced that it will not even do its maiden trip to St Mary's after struggling parent company Harland & Wolff announced it would refocus on its core business.
In a statement on the company's social media, which Scilly Ferries said will cease to exist soon, H&W's interim executive chairman, Russell Downs said: "It is with great sadness that we announce that Scilly Ferries, including the Atlantic Wolff fast ferry, has ceased operations. The decision has been made because of the need for Harland & Wolff to refocus on its core business activities.
"As the company’s new board assesses all aspects of the group’s functions, the ferry operation was identified as being overly ambitious given current circumstances. As a result, the decision was made to cease Scilly Ferries with immediate effect."
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The Atlantic Wolff operated by Scilly Ferries, had been due to undergo its maiden journey to the archipelago 28 miles off the coast of Cornwall on Monday, July 22, following several delays. That had already been pushed back several times and was postponed by a few days, then again by a whole week, to Tuesday, July 30. Nicknamed 'the bumblebee' by company boss James Broughton, it was then announced that it would remain at quay for at least a month while parent company Belfast-shipbuilder H&W tried to secure its future with a new £200m credit line.
In July, the new Labour Government said it would not bail out the shipbuilder to the tune of £200m with the loan guarantee it had requested as the risk to taxpayers was too great.
H&W, operator of the Appledore shipyard in north Devon, and builder of the Titanic, had been keen to muscle in on the monopoly held by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (IOSSG) and promised that it would offer a faster, more comfortable and cheaper option for islanders and visitors alike. The IOSSG operates the Scillonian III ferry from Penzance and Skybus plane service out of Land's End Airport.
IOSSG announced its own plans to replace its current vessel with a £42m more modern, comfortable and efficient Scillonian IV. The boat is now under construction by French shipbuilder Piriou at its yard in Vietnam.
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Only last week, Mr Broughton said Atlantic Wolff had received its final sign-off from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and was "ready to go".
Mr Downs said that Harland & Wolff Marine Services, which currently provides freight services between the mainland and the Isles of Scilly, will continue its operations unaffected. He added: "We understand that this will be difficult news for those affected directly and for the people of the Isles of Scilly and sincerely apologise for the inconvenience and uncertainty caused.
"All customers with existing reservations on the Atlantic Wolff will be contacted directly today. All staff affected have been advised. The vessel will be returned to its manufacturer, Damen, in the Netherlands. Those of you who have reached out with your support, we thank you for your kindness. This social media page will cease activity shortly."
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