Project Drivers
Isles of Scilly Link
Due to increased demand, safety and security requirements,
the infrastructure for the transport link to the Isles of
Scilly must improve or possibly be lost. If the sea passenger
link to the islands were lost the alternative modes of access
to the islands would not have sufficient capacity to meet
demand through the summer season.
The freight volume carried to and from the islands by the
Gry Maritha is vital to provide the imports of food stuff,
building ,materials, fuel and general goods required by the
residents and the tourist trade. The inability to extend the
island’s only runway and the limited expansion possible
to the British International Helicopter link requires the
sea link to be improved as the only remaining option for growth.
Apart from the Isles of Scilly Steamship operations, Penzance
harbour is also used to support operations undertaken by the
Penzance dry Dock Company and for ad hoc recreational usage.
All three operators currently utilise the tidally controlled
dock area of the harbour although current operations are controlled
by the Harbourmaster, there is a strong potential for a conflict
of interest and of health and Safety problems.
The exposure of the harbour to south-easterly weather limits
the operational size of the harbour considerably and has resulted
in a conflict between leisure and commercial activities. The
current facilities available to the Harbourmaster and HM Coastguard
have been identified as inadequate.
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