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�Ivor B� takes maiden voyage to Isles of Scilly from Penzance
14
Jun
2010
The �Ivor B� � the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company�s latest fleet addition has completed her maiden sailing from Penzance to the Isles of Scilly transporting building materials for the new �13 million secondary school project.
Previously named the �Guedel,� the freight vessel was purchased in France and has traded all her life serving the islands off the coast of Brittany. She came into service last week and joins the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company�s other vessels, the Scillonian III and regular freight carrier to the islands, the Gry Maritha and inter-island vessels Lyonesse Lady and Swift Lady.
The ship�s flag and port of registry has been changed to British and registered in Scilly. The �Ivor B� is 32 metres long and can carry around 280 tonnes of cargo. The services of experienced Master, Captain John Castle have been retained to run the vessel along with three other crew members, the Chief Mate being from a long-standing seafaring island family.
The Company�s newest ship will be used to transport all types of freight to and from the islands and has been brought into operation to increase much-needed capacity to carry freight on the route. The coaster will be used to carry timber, aggregates and other materials for a number of building projects in the Isles of Scilly.
Following the sad and untimely death of Ivor Bone at the beginning of this year, it was decided the ship would be named after him. Ivor was a contracts manager for Kier Western, the main contractor for the school project.
Jeff Marston, Chief Executive of the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company said: �Ivor Bone was a very talented and well-respected contracts manager and was instrumental in getting the school construction off the ground. He spent time on the islands and he had developed a good relationship with the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company � he understood the challenges of serving an islands project like this one. We�re very sorry that he died so suddenly, but think the renaming of the new ship to �Ivor B� is a fitting tribute.�
Between 12 and 14,000 tonnes of cargo a year are normally carried by Scillonian III and the Gry Maritha and during the 80 week construction programme of the Five Islands new school, it�s expected the amount of freight being taken to and from St Mary�s will increase significantly.
Jeff added: �We�re delighted to be involved in the school project and to be able to help serve the needs of this exciting development on St Mary�s. There is an increasing demand for the transportation of freight to and from the islands by ship and it�s testament to the experience and skill of everyone in the Company that we�re leading the future development of freight and passenger services on this route.�
Ends
Notes to Editors (Isles of Scilly Steamship Co):
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.
This year will be Scillonian III�s 33rd year of service. 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.
For more information contact:
Ryan Martinez
Deborah Clark Associates on behalf of Isles of Scilly Steamship Co.
01208 77900 / 07887 746569
[email protected]
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