A new operator, Harland & Wolff (Scilly Ferries) Ltd., was to introduce a ferry service from Cornwall, England, to the Isles of Scilly, but it has been delayed again because rain has hampered a paint job of their dry-docked fast-craft.

The craft Aquabus Jet 1, renamed Atlantic Wolff, following a competition with Scilly school children, is the new passenger high-speed ferry that Cornwall Live reports Scilly Ferries is aiming to take on the competing conventional passenger-cargo ship Scillonian III. The veteran vessel operated by the historic service provider, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group, links Penzance and Hugh Town on St. Mary's, the largest of the Isles of Scilly.

Announced by the Belfast based shipbuilder last year was a second-hand ferry from Vietnam in Asia, but this could not be secured, due to conflict in the Middle East. However, as Afloat also reported, identified and tracked an alternative fast-ferry, Aquabus Jet 1 which was sourced in Spain, has been undergoing work to prepare the craft for its debut in UK domestic duties. The chartered fast craft, which will be operated by H&W’s Scilly Ferries, was due to enter into service on the same route in May and aside from being faster, it will also be cheaper to run than the existing service from the Steamship Company, which was formed in 1920.

Due to the torrential rain, this has caused several setbacks for the passenger ferry undergoing dry-docking in Portsmouth, as the launch date was postponed until June. This has led the boss of Harland & Wolff, John Wood to reveal that the date for early June will now likely be delayed too, because the rain over the past few months has delayed the paint job, which will see the craft sporting the black and yellow colours that also represent the corporate branding of the shipyard group.

More here on the newcomer competitor.