Scilly Ferries service postponed until August

The most recent postponement was "due to unforeseen reasons"

A ferry service due to start this month in Cornwall has been hit by further delays.

Scilly Ferries has announced all sailings on its Atlantic Wolff fast ferry service from Penzance to St Mary's have been cancelled until 20 August.

The 138ft (42m) catamaran was originally due to start operating in May, and was delayed again in July.

Scilly Ferries said the most recent postponement was "due to unforeseen reasons" beyond its control.

'Alternative arrangements'

In an email sent to customers it said: "The Atlantic Wolff is now in Newlyn and has successfully undertaken berthing trials both at Penzance quay and St Mary's harbour.

"However, due to unforeseen reasons beyond our, at Scilly Ferries, control we have had to cancel sailings up until the 20th August 2024.

"At Scilly Ferries, we are incredibly sorry for the inconvenience caused, but we wanted to let you know as soon as possible in the hope that you will be able to make alternative arrangements."

Scilly Ferries said it remained "dedicated to starting the service this season" and apologised for any inconvenience to its customers.

Sailings have been postponed until 20 August

Steve Sims, lead member for tourism and the economy on the Isles of Scilly Council," said: “If they do it great but they’ve got about three weeks of reasonable numbers and I have to say it seems a little bit futile starting that late in the season.”

Julie King from Newquay told the BBC the situation was "disastrous".

“We actually booked this back in Easter," she said.

"Luckily I read the e-mail and managed to get onto the Scillonian, but other people might not be so lucky.

“At the 11th hour to be told there’s no booking is disastrous."

Ms King said she enquired about alternatives because other cancelled bookings had been offered "a helicopter flight or another boat", but was not offered anything.

“I received a very short reply saying we’re not offering any alternatives, we’re not offering any compensation," she added.

The BBC has approached Scilly Ferries and parent company Harland and Wolff for further comment.