Delivering for Scilly
Top honours at Maritime UK Awards
We’re proud to be named 2025 Maritime UK Business of the Year
Skybus operations
Read about our
Luke Parnell
Find out about our new
Technical Superintendent
Delivering for Scilly
Welcome to the summer issue of Delivering for Scilly magazine, filled with key updates from across the Group. It’s been a busy, eventful, and at times, challenging year so far, and we want to take a moment to thank you for your continued dedication. In this issue, we’ve included a roundup of important news and highlights you may have missed – a great opportunity to catch up on some of the key developments from this year.
Read about the local charities we've supported on page 8.
Turn to page 11 to find out how we supported the National Lobster Hatchery's 25th anniversary.
Sharing Industry Expertise with Future Marketers
Last month, Sharon Sandercock was invited to deliver a guest lecture to a large group of MBA International Marketing students at the University of Exeter. Sharon focused the session on marketing strategy and planning in the real world, offering students practical insights drawn from over her 20 years of industry experience.
Topics covered included brand positioning, audience segmentation, and how both macro and micro environmental factors influence consumer behaviour and campaign planning. Real-world examples helped bring the theory to life, sparking great engagement and thoughtful discussion from the students.
Sharon said: "It was a rewarding opportunity to support the next generation of marketers, and a reminder of the value in sharing industry knowledge and experience with those just starting out in their careers".
Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Limited, Hugh Town, St Mary’s, Isles Of Scilly TR21 0LJ
Delivering for Scilly is produced by Isles of Scilly Steamship Group inhouse communications team.
Discover how our the new vessels are progressing over on page 12.
On page 16, read about the Discover Ferries members’ meeting we hosted.
T +44 (0) 1736 334240
marketing@islesofscilly-travel.co.uk Editor Marketing Team
With grateful thanks to all team members who’ve helped contribute articles and photos. Opinions expressed are the authors’ and not necessarily those of the company. Whilst every effort is made to ensure total accuracy Isles of Scilly Steamship Group cannot be help responsible for any errors or omissions within this magazine.
Scilly’s oldest resident
Hilda Richards, the Isles of Scilly’s oldest resident, marked her remarkable 102nd birthday on 17th July. Having lived on the islands since she was one year old, Hilda made a special journey to the mainland via Skybus, where she received a warm welcome at Land's End Airport before enjoying a weekend of celebrations with her family.
Charity event
Adventure 001 once again operated scenic helicopter flights for charity from Land’s End Airport. The flights were scheduled for 3 dates between July and September. Flights sold well with over 50 passengers on each date.
Judith Piper Featured in AB Direct
Judith Piper, Chief Financial Officer, has been featured in a recent edition of global accountancy and business magazine AB Direct. The piece focuses on the history of the Steamship Group and our vessel replacement project. You can read it here: https://bit.ly/40zYpGp
Island Carriers
Island Carriers now offers secure storage containers for hire on St Mary’s. Available in 8ft or 20ft, the containers are ideal for residents or businesses needing extra space. There are two units available at the moment – one of each size – for short term of longer-term use. They can be used at Island Carriers or delivered on St Mary’s.
New Aurigny deal expands Skybus operations
In June we announced a major new contract to provide two aircraft to Aurigny Air Services of Guernsey.
Starting on 1st November 2025, two DHC6-300 Twin Otter aircraft, a type flown for over 30 years on our lifeline air links, will join the Skybus fleet to service the new contract.
These will operate in Aurigny colours to and from the island of Alderney, serving Guernsey and Southampton routes that Aurigny has served continuously since 1968.
As with Skybus’s operations in the Isles of Scilly, the 17-seat aircraft will also play an integral role in the delivery of air ambulance, mail, freight and pet travel services to and from Alderney.
Skybus will also provide replacement aircraft from within its fleet to cover periods of maintenance, a step which will be important in delivering a high level of resilience for Alderney’s air links.
These will be operated under a multi-year agreement between Skybus and Aurigny, covering provision of aircraft, maintenance, crew training and insurance.
Jonathan Hinkles, Managing Director of Skybus, said: “We’re delighted with this new longterm contract. The new arrangement will bring together nearly 100 years’ experience of island air services in Aurigny and Skybus to deliver for the Alderney community and at the same time, strengthen our existing long-standing business in the Isles of Scilly.”
The Board expects that the agreement will be beneficial to Group profitability and will facilitate continued investment in Skybus’ operational infrastructure to deliver both the new contract and its existing services. Together with other steps being taken within Skybus, it is expected that the Group’s aviation division will return to profitability in the financial year to 31st March 2026.
Skybus Newquay flights extended
From the beginning of July a third Skybus flight was added to the flight schedule from Cornwall Airport Newquay for the summer 2025 season. Flight timings are designed to enable passengers to arrange connecting flights to a wide range of destinations throughout the UK, including London, Manchester, Edinburgh and beyond.
Skybus has been flying from Cornwall Airport Newquay since June 1992, a successful partnership spanning more than 30 years and the airport’s longest serving airline. We have flown almost 400,000 passengers on more than 40,000 flights from Newquay to Scilly during this time.
The 30-minute flights between Newquay and St Mary’s will be operated by the airline’s fourstrong fleet of 17-seat DHC6 Twin Otter aircraft.
2026 schedules launched
Last month (June) we unveiled our full schedule for the 2026 season – the earliest ticket release in the Group’s history.
Advance bookings are now available through to October 2026 following a surge of interest prompted by national TV exposure on the documentary series Summer on the Isles of Scilly.
Flights on Skybus and sailings on Scillonian III for the entire 2026 season are now open for booking, a move designed to meet rising demands and provide greater planning and flexibility for passengers.
“This is a response to increased interest in the islands and strong early demand signals,” said
Chief Executive Stuart Reid. “By releasing our schedule earlier than ever before, we’re giving our customers the confidence and clarity they need to plan ahead.”
Skybus flights from Cornwall Airport Newquay will now operate year-round, and for summer 2026 there will be up to seven flights daily to St Mary’s, offering a choice of departure times throughout the day designed to facilitate easier connections with other airports.
There will also be up to seven daily services from Land’s End and two from Exeter.
Lead-in prices for both Scillonian III and Skybus will remain the same as for summer 2025.
Steamship Group crowned Business of the Year at Maritime UK Awards
We are incredibly proud to have been named Business of the Year at the 2025 Maritime UK Awards in Dover.
It’s a milestone moment in the Group’s 105-year history of
can showcase outstanding business performance, strategic vision, and a dedicated commitment to advancing the maritime sector in the UK.
serving the Isles of Scilly and a heartfelt tribute to the people, past and present, who’ve helped keep Scilly connected. The prestigious Maritime UK Awards celebrate the achievements and success stories of the maritime sector and highlight its essential role in the UK economy.
The Steamship Group was one of just four companies shortlisted in the Business of the Year category following a record number of entries chosen following a rigorous judging process led by a panel of 15 industry leaders.
The Business of the Year award honours excellence, innovation, and exceptional achievements in the maritime industry and is presented to a company that
Chief Executive Stuart Reid said: “This recognition is a testament to the dedication, hard work and passion of our entire team, whose commitment
keeps our services running day in day out.
“For over a century, we’ve been dedicated to serving the Isles of Scilly community and supporting the connectivity, economy and maritime heritage of the islands.
“This award reinforces our commitment to excellence and innovation as we continue to invest in the future of sustainable transport for the islands. It’s a privilege to be part of the UK’s vibrant maritime sector, which plays a crucial role in the nation’s economy.
“Here’s to the next chapter in our story and the next 100 years of delivering for Scilly.”
As a sector generating £116 billion for the UK economy and supporting over 1.1 million jobs, the Maritime UK Awards spotlight the individuals, organisations, and initiatives powering its continued success - spanning shipping, ports, engineering, leisure marine, and professional services.
Triple milestone: Over (and counting!) for
We’re thrilled to be celebrating not one, but three, major fundraising milestones reached through the generosity of our amazing passengers.
Through our voluntary donation scheme, offered when booking travel via our website, we’re proud to share that:
• We have hit a milestone £120,000 for The Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust (raised since November 2019)
• While simultaneously hitting the £40,000 mark for The Island Haven (raised since October 2021)
• And an incredible £15,000 for Cornwall Air Ambulance in the first 12 months of fundraising alone (raised since July 2024)
With donations coming in daily, the totals as of the end of June 2025 are a combined total of £181,000, for causes that directly benefit the Isles of Scilly and the wider community.
Since 2019, our customers have been supporting the Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust, helping to
protect Scilly’s landscapes, heritage, and wildlife. The charity manages 700 hectares of land, maintains 85km of paths, and safeguards 170 scheduled monuments.
Julian Branscombe | Isles of Scilly Wildlife Trust CEO: “We are so grateful to all the customers of the Isles of Scilly Travel for their generosity. We can only do our work to keep Scilly special thanks to the donations like these. Thank you so much.”
Launched in October 2021, our partnership with The Island Haven has helped hit a milestone £40,000, which has supported the development of a dedicated home from home for islanders receiving medical treatment on the mainland.
Located near the Royal Cornwall Hospital in Truro, the home is now complete and offers islanders and their families a much-needed place to stay during prolonged outpatient treatment or emergency situations – easing both financial and emotional burdens.
Patricia Matthews | Trustee of The Island Haven: “Since 2021, The Island Haven has built
Over £180,000 raised for local charities
a relationship with the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group which has resulted in such marvellous support, acting as a conduit for our lovely visitors (their passengers) to enable donations to be made whilst making bookings online.
“This has now reached an extraordinary milestone of £40,000 to date over four years. Donations are crucial to our sustainability, as even though we have had the official opening of the house, we will always have the utility bills, council tax, insurance, internet, laundry and maintenance, so donations will make the difference we need, to maintain The Island Haven. Thank you all for your generous support.”
Since June 2024, Isles of Scilly Travel passengers contributed £15,000 in the first 12 months of fundraising for Cornwall Air Ambulance, a vital charity responding to over 1,000 missions each year, including dozens to the Isles of Scilly. Since hitting the £15k milestone, the generosity of our passengers has bumped the fundraising total up to £18,120 with a record-breaking total of £2,210 for this charity raised in a single month via our
booking platform.
In 2024, the air ambulance responded to 41 emergencies on the islands – offering pre-hospital critical care in under 30 minutes. The charity relies entirely on public donations and plays a vital role in the safety and wellbeing of those living in, working on, or visiting the islands.
Julia Jeffery | Cornwall Air Ambulance Corporate
Partnerships
Manager:
“We are incredibly grateful for the ongoing support of Isles of Scilly Steamship Group and their wonderful customers. The incredible amount of £15,000 that they have raised could fund three potentially lifesaving missions by air, in one of our helicopters. It is only thanks to the support of local businesses and communities that we can continue to provide pre-hospital emergency care to those who are critically ill or injured across both Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly. Thank you for helping us to be there for patients when they really need us most.”
Collaboration
Welcome aboard: Luke Parnell takes helm as Technical Superintendent
In May we welcomed Luke Parnell to the Steamship Group as our new Technical Superintendent, playing a pivotal role in overseeing and managing the maintenance of our vessels.
Luke is already well known to many of us, having previously worked as Chief Engineering Manager at Coastal Workboats in Exeter—the team behind our landing craft, Gugh.
He started his career with a Merchant Navy engineering cadetship with BP, where he worked for 11 years, before moving to British Antarctic Survey, RRS James Clarke Ross and later on the design, build and operation of the RSS Sir David Attenborough.
Luke said: “I am delighted with the position of Technical Superintendent with ISSG, as the direct connection to the sea, as well as the mix of traditional tonnage and new vessels under construction, was absolutely thrilling.
“Working for ISSG is great, with the diverse spread of tasks on the in-service vessels and some involvement with Scillonian IV and Menawethan, with super progress being seen in a project with a practised and professional shipbuilder.”
Chief Executive Stuart Reid said: “Luke’s familiarity with our vessels and operations, as well as experience with new builds, will be a real asset for the future.”
512 Baby lobsters released on Scilly
In May we were proud to be part of The National Lobster Hatchery’s “releaseathon” – the challenge of 25 lobster releases in 25 locations over 25 consecutive days to celebrate its 25th anniversary.
On day one of the challenge, lobsters were transported to the Isles of Scilly on board Scillonian III and 512 babies were released on Porthcressa Beach, St Mary’s.
Porthcressa was picked due to the habitat –perfectly rocky with good seaweed coverage for the babies to hide from potential predators.
Five Islands Academy attended the release, along with the IoS Wildlife Trust and lots of visitors, providing another generation of lobsters to
Scilly’s coastal waters.
Nicola O’Donnell from The National Lobster Hatchery, said: “We couldn’t have asked for a better start to kick off our bonkers birthday challenge ‘releaseathon’ on the Isles of Scilly. Day one of 25 consecutive days releasing juvenile lobsters in 25 different locations around Cornwall and IOS.
“It was a perfect showcase of our work to celebrate 25 years of The National Lobster Hatchery in 2025. Huge thank you to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group for supporting the release, and to the those that attended and helped release 512 babies into their new home in St Mary’s.”
Twelve months of transformation
The first steels for the new ships were cut during a ceremony at Piriou’s shipyard in Ho Chi Min City, Vietnam on 25th June 2024 – the launch of what has become a remarkable shipbuilding journey.
Twelve months later, all hull blocks for Scillonian IV and Menawethan are complete.
Equipment installation is ongoing, and includes intermediate tailshafts; ventilation fans and trunking; sewage treatment and vacuum toilet systems; refrigeration units, air conditioning, domestic hot water tanks and more.
Work is now starting on the interiors of the vessels. Windows have started to be fitted to wheelhouses to make interiors watertight and attention is now turning to the installation of operational piping and staircases.
Other major milestones include Scillonian IV’s gearboxes and engines being lifted into place through a temporary opening and the final megablock being integrated.
Chief Executive Stuart Reid said: “The gearbox, built in Germany, will reduce shaft speed between the main engine and the controllable pitch propeller, and includes a clutch mechanism allowing the main engine to be disengaged in favour of electric drive –supporting hybrid propulsion and fuel efficiency and be more environmentally efficient.
“Following this, the V12 diesel main engine, manufactured in Belgium by ABC, was lifted into place – the first of two 3556-horsepower engines powering the vessel, producing 2652kw of power at 1,000rpm.
“We are proud of the progress that’s been made in a year. Our team, shipbuilders and partners have worked tirelessly to keep the project on track and we are all looking forward to delivering these state-of-the-art ships to serve our passengers and freight customers.”
TECgirls
Reach for the Sky festival
Please pass on a huge thank you to your brilliant team for being so inspiring and for bringing so much joy to so many young people! A special shoutout to Debi, who was absolutely fantastic in the ITV coverage ❤
Skybus pilots Emily Curnow and Debi Peskett helped inspire the next generation of female pilots at an event at Spaceport Cornwall in July.
It is the second time they have taken part in the Reach for the Sky festival, which is aimed at girls in Cornwall exploring careers in aviation and aerospace.
The sold-out family festival, organised by the award-winning TECgirls project, included our very own Islander aircraft on display, a VR zone, science shows and hands-on activities and gave girls the chance to meet and talk to pilots, engineers and other professionals working in the industry.
Captains Emily and Debi were on hand all day to share insights, answer questions and inspire the next generation of girls in STEM subjects.
In the UK, only 6% of pilots are female and there are similar challenges in engineering, manufacturing and tech sectors and the festival was set up to help tackle the gender imbalance.
Emily said: “It was a brilliant day with many opportunities from across the industry for young people to get involved with activities and talk to professionals about what's on offer in the world of technology, engineering and creativity, with a focus on aerospace and aviation. The setting, 'runwayside' at Newquay airport was phenomenal for enhancing the atmosphere and gave attendees a real sense of being immersed in the world of aviation.
“Our Islander aircraft joined others in a static display where young people, and their grownups, could climb aboard and explore what being a pilot would look and feel like. You can't aspire to be something or work with something, until you've seen it and you know what it looks like. Our dressing up and selfie board was all about visualising yourself in that role.
“Tristan Gilham did a fantastic job of guiding all our budding pilots to land the mighty Twin Otter on St Mary's runway 32 via our aircraft simulator - hopefully we can recruit some a few years down the line.”
Watch ITV's coverage �� https://bit.ly/4lTlHQ4
I just wanted to email you and let you know that when we travelled via Scillonian III on the 24th May, I asked some of the crew including the purser if my son could have his photo on the bridge whilst reading a book. He won with the photo of him ‘steering’ Scillonian III on the ships wheel whilst reading. I just wanted to say a huge thank you for supporting the extreme reading competition for his school.
We travelled on Scillonian III on the early ferry on 31st May. We would like to thank Dave (top of quay) for his help and support when we left a suitcase in the Dolphin Inn. He certainly went the extra mile (and more) in collecting it and delivering it to us on board. We decided that everyone needs a Dave sometimes! We were so very grateful to him and your ticketing staff.
I have just spoken to a customer called Marilyn who wanted everyone to know how much she enjoyed her day trip on 21/06/25 on Scillonian with her guide dog Millie. As she is blind and felt a little anxious. She wasn’t sure what to expect but she couldn’t praise everybody enough for all the help, kindness and the general way in which she was looked after.
She mentioned Neil on the quay, Gail on board and whoever was at check-in on the morning of departure. Her enthusiasm about the whole trip was fantastic and she said she really felt like she should send us a bouquet of flowers. I advised how kind that was but not necessary as long she promised to book another trip with us…which she feels like she will now be able to do.
Customer
Many many thanks to the great team aboard the Scillionian that supported me yesterday on my day trip to Scilly despite the broken ankle. They made my day. It was a wonderful experience with a very friendly and lovely team. And on top, we even saw some dolphins!
Can I mention how great all the staff were, there was a lot of people requiring their attention and they showed no sign of frustration, really friendly and helpful. The same goes for you and your colleague Jenny who directed me to customer service.
Yesterday we arrived at St Mary’s Airport at 08.00 for the 08.50 departure, only to realise I had somehow booked the 14.40 - fortunately for the same day. Living in Yorkshire, early departures make our journey so much easier. Your team were very understanding and managed to get me on the 11.35 (with my daughter and boyfriend) and my wife on the 12.20. This made a huge difference to our journey home, arriving at 20.40 rather than 22.40. Would you please pass on our huge appreciation to the St Mary’s team? Having worked in the travel industry, I am very aware of the complaint to praise ratio and I am delighted to contribute to the latter.
Our customers are at the heart of everything share some of our recent comments with to all our employees for making these
Feedback
everything we do and we’re delighted to with you here. A big thank you, as always, these comments so commonplace.
Please pass on our thanks to Ian Williamson and Jeanette Ware who went out of their way to help us over the last few weeks whilst our little boy was in hospital. They made the return home to Scilly less stressful, and we are very grateful to them. Thank you Isles of Scilly Steamship Group.
Big shout out to the lovely manager and ticket man who helped my girlfriend who fell over this morning on the quayside.
After travelling on the 9:15 departure from Penzance I just wanted to write and say what a wonderful team we had aboard the Scillonian this morning. Lots of the passengers in the upper deck cafe were starting to feel queasy and the members of the team could not have been more helpful and caring. Helping to move hand luggage and escorting passengers down to more suitable areas for them to sit. The team even approached passengers who didn’t quite look right and advised them where best to sit in the choppy conditions to make them feel more comfortable. Every staff member was so kind and patient, please do pass on just how fabulous they were as it really did make a difference to those who were struggling today.
Many many thanks to the great team aboard the Scillionian that supported me yesterday on my day trip to Scilly despite the broken ankle. They made my day �� It was a wonderful experience with a very friendly and lovely team. And on top, we even saw some dolphins!
We wanted to pass on our gratitude and compliments to the staff operating Skybus yesterday (1st April). Despite not actually being a customer that day they were incredibly helpful, very proactive and clearly understood the predicament of stranded passengers. Whether they were tourists, islanders or those going over to work on the islands. This was due to the ceasing of the helicopter service yesterday.
Thank you thank you Skybus for getting us over to the islands. Simply due to the highly motivated and caring staff. Especially Andrew and Isaac!
Just wanted to say a massive hats off literally to the man who stood in his high vis at the end of the gangway tonight in Penzance! Getting hit with every wave, he was smiley, polite and didn't even grimace! I think he definitely needs some sort of sou'wester hat though!!
A passenger travelling today, came to see me in the Weighbridge. She says she can’t believe how good our website is. It’s her first time travelling with us and she said the amount of information on the website was so helpful. She also commented how good it is that we send out updated information via email and the SMS message (regarding luggage).
Discover Ferries
In June we were proud to both attend and host the Discover Ferries quarterly members’ meeting in Penzance.
We welcomed representatives from ferry operators across the UK – many of whom had travelled a long way – and invited them for a behind-the-scenes tour of our iconic passenger ferry, Scillonian III, before heading to The Exchange gallery to kick off the meeting, with additional members joining remotely.
In attendance from the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group were Stuart Reid, Thomas Weise, and Sharon Sandercock, who each delivered presentations sharing the Group’s history, our lifeline link to the islands, plans for the future, and an update on our current marketing activity.
Judith Piper, Sian Matthews and Jade Thomas also attended from the Group.
It was a fantastic opportunity to showcase our operations and our exciting new vessel plans – including progress on Scillonian IV and Menawethan.
Discover Ferries plays a vital role in bringing UK ferry operators together to collaborate, support one another, and advocate for the sector.
Thanks to Discover Ferries and all attendees for a productive and insightful day.
