THE ISLES of Scilly Steamship Company has won the tender to operate a new combined freight and passenger ship between the islands and the mainland.

The announcement has been described as a "significant step forward" in securing the link between Cornwall and Scilly and a "remarkable day" for the 90-year-old firm.

And while a decision over a new harbour which would enable the ship to continue running from Penzance has yet to be made, Steamship Company chairman Andrew May previously told The Cornishman the firm was "yet to hear an argument to persuade us of the merits of operating from any other port in Cornwall than Penzance".

Announcement

Mr May was joined by Route Partnership chairman Philip Hygate, Cornwall Council transport portfolio holder Graeme Hicks and Council of the Isles of Scilly chair Julia Day for the official announcement of the successful tender on St Mary's on Tuesday.

Mr Hygate said: "It is a very significant step forward for the Partnership in the securing of the lifeline link between Scilly and Cornwall. It is a tribute to the company that they have won through."

Referring to past contrasting times of "fine blue water and squalls", Mr Hygate added: "Today the sun is shining and the sea is very calm and I am delighted to say we have made a huge step forward. The Steamship Company has won fair and square."

He said the company could now look with real optimism to entering into its century of service. Mr May added that it was "a remarkable day for a company formed all those years ago to meet islanders' needs. Clearly today is good news day."

Mrs Day said the island community would be "absolutely delighted with the news" that a company which had served Scilly well for 90 years had won the contract. She said the past 18 months had been a somewhat nerve-racking time, but now the anxiety was over.

She expressed "heartfelt thanks" on behalf of islanders to the staff of the Scillonian III and Gry Maritha and those based shore side "on whom we rely for our way of life".

Mr Hygate said the news "opens up the opportunity for the Steamship Company to become fully involved in work about the fine details of the vessel and operational issues".

Mr May has previously stated that the company was keen to stay in Penzance, where it had been operating for 90 years. In January, he said: "Falmouth is not an option. We have considered it but not put it on the agenda."

The decision over the infrastructure to keep the route in Penzance still rests on Government approval of a recent Cornwall Strategic Planning Committee decision in favour of listed building consent for a combined freight and passenger terminal on Battery Rocks Beach. The tender process for the construction of the new ship, which will be owned by Cornwall Council, is expected to continue until later in the year.

● Cornishman Comment: page 49.