From Charlie Cartwright, Trythall Shipping
Sept. 2008

The proposal put forward by The Isles of Scilly Route Partnership is for a costly new combined cargo and passenger ship bigger than the current Scillonian 3 with substantial infrastructure work required both at Penzance and St Mary’s to accommodate it.

Proposed new structures at Penzance would impinge adversely on the environmentally and visually sensitive and unique Battery Rocks area of Penzance Promenade and put the sea passenger facilities well away from the other transport services, (trains, buses, coach park and car parks) The total costs of the scheme exceed £40 million with more than £20 million of this to be funded by mainland Council Tax Payers.

My proposal is for a much lower cost scheme reducing the financial contribution required from local and national government sources and removing the need for the proposed intrusive shore side structures. My scheme would provide an enhanced service for passengers and freight with a much lower environmental impact at both Penzance and St. Mary’s, and a substantial reduction in road traffic through both towns and removes the enormous embedded carbon footprint associated with new buildings.

The scheme takes account of future reductions in the mobility of potential customers arising from the increasing costs of road fuel and would enable flexible timing of passenger voyages to connect with the excellent train services available at Penzance.

I propose a small fast passenger only ship. A new build could be ordered, but alternatively an existing ship that was built to the specific design criteria for the Isles of Scilly route is available for purchase now with very low operating hours at a much lower cost than a new build. Like the helicopter and aeroplanes this new passenger ship, not hampered by cargo work, would operate a varying number of trips per day depending in seasonal demand, with a one way voyage time, quay to quay of 95 minutes.

At the height of the season there would be up to four departures from Penzance on busy days at four hourly intervals. The proposed ship would have no difficulty in providing a fast comfortable voyage in the prevailing sea conditions, with a much reduced incidence of sea sickness compared with the conventional monohull design proposed by The Route Partnership.

Consultants confirm that this improved sea keeping and reduction in journey time would generate a substantial increase in passenger numbers. Not having to spend time loading and discharging cargo would enable an imaginative sailing programme to include coastal scenic cruises from Penzance, and pick up of day trips on some days from other Cornish ports, Newquay, Padstow and Falmouth.

At Penzance much needed dredging at The Albert Pier would enable use of existing structures for passengers and require only minor civil engineering works, without the need to in fill and reclaim land to the East of The Jubilee Pool, Battery Rocks and War Memorial site. Use of The Albert Pier for passengers would enable them to use the existing excellent transport interchange area adjacent to The Railway Station, Bus Terminus and Harbour Car Park.

A completely new inland cargo handling system is proposed, using industry standard 20 foot containers and loading the ship from the existing South Pier, requiring no new shore side structures. A new store and forward depot located at Long Rock industrial estate would substantially reduce traffic at Wharf road and enhance health and safety both on the quays and around the various tourist oriented facilities in the harbour area.

There would be similar environmental improvements and traffic reduction at Hugh Town. In the summer months a daily (overnight) freight service would be provided to all the Islands. The existing coaster Grey Maritha could easily be modified to run the service or another suitably geared cargo ship could be purchased on the open market.

Cloud X - Fast Passenger Boat

J.E.C. Cartwright BA, FCA
Trythall Shipping
6 Trewartha Terrace
Penzance TR18 2HE
Tel: 01736 368610
Email: charlie.cartwright@gmx.co.uk