There was no flying to and from St Mary’s Airport on Thursday 29 August, prompting the eighth late sailing of the Scillonian this season.
Hundreds of passengers were transferred to the Scillonian returning from Scilly at 4:30 pm but as people arrived at the airports at Newquay and Lands End and the Heliport at Penzance during the day, it became apparent that hundreds would have to travel on a later boat. The post was also delayed coming into the Islands and instead of its usual ?first flight? trip on the helicopter, the Scillonian brought it at midday.
The Scillonian left Penzance for the second time at 8:20PM and docked in St. Mary’s at 11:10PM. Passengers due to leave the Islands by air congregated on the quay from about 9:30 in order to board the Scillonian back to Penzance which was due to dock at about 2:30AM, completing a gruelling day for stranded passengers and the crew.
Passengers leaving the boat seemed relatively good humoured and some commented on the positive way they were treated by the crew of the Scillonian. The Scillonian completed a turnaround in St Mary’s in about 25 minutes with an estimated 1000 people departing and boarding.
The fog which hampered flying today was thick both in Scilly and on the Mainland throughout the day and with a similar forecast for tomorrow, some are already taking a pessimistic outlook.
The next day, on top of poor weather conditions, the Twin Otter had technical difficulties at Land’s End, prompting further delays. The twin otter 10:35 am flight to Newquay took off at 12:00 midday.