New ferry for Isles of Scilly cancels May trips

Mr Wood said a replacement vessel had become unviable due to conflict in the Middle East

A new ferry service due to start running in May between the Isles of Scilly and Penzance has been delayed.

Shipbuilder Harland & Wolff (H&W) announced on Friday the new ferry it has chartered would not run until early June.

Chief executive John Wood apologised to people who had made reservations with Scilly Ferries for crossings in May.

He said the new ferry, Atlantic Wolff, would leave Spain for the UK in the coming days and would then need to go through a regulatory process.

'Out of our gift'

Mr Wood said the process the ferry had to go through before it could run was "significant and important" and the timescale was "a little out of our gift".

He said: "We now expect it will be early June before the first passenger crossings commence, but we know that for a first year of service it is hugely important to ensure every detail is properly taken care of to provide the absolute best service possible."

A replacement vessel had become unviable due to conflict in the Middle East, he added.

In September H&W claimed its fares would be a quarter less than the sole current ferry provider, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG).

It has chartered a ship it said would provide 90-minute journey times, which is faster than the two hours and 45 minutes journey times the ISSG offers.

Mr Wood said those who had reserved crossings in May would be contacted directly by Scilly Ferries.

He added Scilly Ferries was "currently speaking with local companies to secure alternative arrangements".