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Scillonian III Rescue Boat
10
Jul�
2009
New lease of life for old Scillonian III rescue boat
A decommissioned rescue boat from the Scillonian III will soon be getting a lot more action on the water after being donated to the Penzance Sea Cadets.
During the past 32 years, the 5.5 metre (18 ft) fibreglass rescue boat has made in excess of 6,500 return voyages between Penzance and St Marys - that�s more than 250,000 nautical miles on the top deck of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company�s passenger vessel Scillonian III, without a single wave being broken on her hull.
In order to comply with EU regulations, the original rescue boat of the Scillonian III has been replaced with a brand new SOLAS (Safety of Lives at Sea) approved Rigid Inflatable Boat (RIB), matching an identical second rescue RIB installed in January.
John Laity, President of Penzance Sea Cadets Corps is delighted with their new vessel: �The Scillionian�s old rescue boat will be a wonderful asset for our young cadets. After some minor modifications and a coat of paint it�ll be used to teach seamanship skills and will accompany our other training vessels on exercises as a safety boat.�
The Penzance Sea Corps has formed an affiliation with the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company and work will soon start to provide cadets with an opportunity to gain experience of working onboard a passenger ship.
John Laity continued: �We�re delighted to form an affiliation with the Isles of Scilly Steamship company to provide our cadets with a real impression of what its like to work on a commercial vessel and learn more about the inner workings of a ship. We hope that it may even inspire some cadets to consider a career in the Merchant Navy.�
Jeff Marston, Chief Executive of Isles of Scilly Steamship Company said: �The Sea Cadets is an excellent initiative for local youngsters and we were delighted to offer a helping hand. Although our old rescue boat had come to the end of its operational life aboard the Scillonian III it still has many years of service ahead of it. Its wonderful to think that the Isles of Scilly Steamship company are playing a role in helping to train the next generation of Royal and Merchant Navy recruits.�
The Sea Cadet Corps is open to all young people aged 12 to 18 providing provide fun, friendship, adventure and the opportunity for its cadets to learn new skills based on waterborne and land based activities.
With more than 50 members, the Penzance Sea Cadets meets on every Monday and Thursday evening. Further information about how to join or volunteer as an instructor is available at www.units.ms-sc.org/penzance
Ends.
Notes to Editors:
Photography
A photo of the Scillonian III rescue boat presentation to the Penzance Sea Cadets accompanies this press release.
For more information contact:
Laura Tregonning
Deborah Clark Associates
01208 77900
[email protected]
Isles of Scilly Steamship Company Ltd was formed on 26 March 1920 and the first Scillonian Ship began regular trips to the Isles of Scilly on Thursday 2 February 1926. Since then the company has continually operated the shipping service which is a life line for the Isles of Scilly.
Scillonian III celebrated 30 years in service during 2007. The ship was commissioned and built for the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd in Devon with work starting in 1973. She sailed her maiden voyage on 19th May 1977 and since then has become a signature sight of the Islands and a preferred method of travel for many visitors and islanders alike.
Scillonian III sails from Penzance to St Mary�s (the main island) daily from 30th March until 31st October 2009 Monday to Saturday including Bank Holidays.
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