School children and sea cadets will have a unique opportunity to have a behind-the-scenes tour of the Isles of Scilly Steamship ferry with the event held tomorrow, as part of Maritime UK Week (10-16 October), writes Jehan Ashmore.

The veteran passenger/cargoship Scillonian III which was purpose built in 1977 at Appledore Shipbuilders, links Penzance Harbour, Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly off south-west England.

The Open Day invitations has been sent to local school children, Sea Cadets and fans of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group’s faithful passenger ship which has served islanders and tourists alike for 45 years on a route which takes in the scenic sights of the Cornish coast.

Tomorrow's (11 October) Open Day will be special one-off event held during a non-sailing day when the 67.7m vessel is berthed in the ship's homeport of Penzance.

The visiting school children and sea cadets will be able to meet the captain and crew, tour the ship’s bridge and look around the pristine engine room of the 1,346 gross registered tonnes ferry.

The event is among those organised during Maritime UK Week, which aims to shine a spotlight on the latest developments in the maritime sector and engage people across the UK with the maritime world including taking a career. 

It is in domestic UK waters where the 485 passenger Scillonian III plays a key role plying between Penzance and St. Mary's, the largest of the Scilly Isles with the ferry running on a seasonal basis between March and November.

Asides carrying general cargo / perishable goods, vehicles are handled by the ship's crane into the hold or positioned as deck cargo along with containers.

Outside of the shoulder and main tourism season, the ferry is laid up during the winter, however a cargoship service continues to serve islanders throughout the year.

In addition passenger air services are also operated by the company.

As Afloat previously reported, there are plans to replace the ageing ferry with a passenger/cargoship newbuild, the 'Scillonian IV'. The 72m new ferry will transport more passengers with a capacity for 600.

Also planned is a 45m freighter newbuild, with a limited capacity for 12 passengers.