The Islands, as far from New York as they are, are still being affected by the increased measures of national security inforced by the British Government.
bPassenger Travel/b
Yesterday, flights had been postponed until police or the Army could arrive to with specialist equipment for scanning luggage and possessions carried on the person. Those who did travel over yesterday, including Bill Oddie, the famous ornithologist, had to leave their luggage in Penzance to be carried over the next day on the Scillonian ferry.
Today airport staff are searching luggage and pockets themselves. Luggage is being carried as normal, and the service, for passengers, is going smoothly.
bPost and Papers/b
Royal Mail’s post, and the local papers were carried on RMV Scillonian this morning. This is because the papers and post are unaccompanied items, so have to be carried on the ferry to reduce risks.
Mumfords Paper Shop are expecting their papers to come on the helicopter from tomorrow, but are unsure. This will be the first time the papers have been taken on the Scillonian (apart from foggy days) for many years. Papers will now arrive after midday, instead of around 9 am.
Post Office is less convinced, and reckons that the mail will be arriving on the Scillonian indefinitely. Post will arrive in the afternoon, instead of the early morning helicopter.
bHospital Blood/b
St Mary’s hospital was intending on sending samples of blood this morning on the helicopter, as they have done for many years, to go away to the mainland to be tested. The same restrictions were in place, it is unaccompanied freight, so the blood had to be carried on the Gry Maritha this morning.
This may affect the blood, keeping it longer than it should be, but it is the only way possible to transport the blood to the mainland.
