Scillonian III

Scillonian III unloading cargo at St Mary's Harbour
History
Name:	Scillonian III
Owner:	Isles of Scilly Steamship Company
Operator:	Isles of Scilly Steamship Company
Port of registry:	St Mary's,  United Kingdom
Builder:	Appledore Shipbuilders, North Devon
Launched:	5 May 1977
Christened:	17 May 1977
In service:	19 May 1977
Identification:	IMO number: 7527796
Status:	Operating between Penzance and Hugh Town
General characteristics
Class and type:	passenger ferry 100A1 (EU Class II B)
Tonnage:	1,255.25 GRT
Length:	68 m (223.1 ft)
Beam:	11.85 m (38.9 ft)
Draught:	2.89 m (9 ft 5.8 in)
Decks:	4
Propulsion:	2 engines driving 2 propellers
Speed:	15.15 kn (28.1 km/h)
Capacity:	485 passengers
Crew:	18

RMV Scillonian III is a passenger ship based at Penzance in Cornwall, England, United Kingdom, run by the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company. She operates the principal ferry service to the Isles of Scilly and is one of only four ships in the world still carrying the status of Royal Mail Ship (hence RMV - Royal Mail Vessel).

RMV Scillonian III was purpose built for the Steamship Company by Appledore Shipbuilders Ltd of Appledore in Devon and was christened by H.R.H. Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall on 17 May 1977 and entered service later in the same month. She is the third passenger ship to carry the Scillonian name and made her first trip to Scilly on 19 May 1977, sailing from Bideford to St Mary's. On the arrival of the new ship, critics found it "too big, they will never hold her, not suitable or not as good a sea boat as the old boat" (the same had happened when the first Scillonian went into service in 1926 and again with her replacement in 1956).

Scillonian III has a length of 68 m, a beam of 11.85 m, a draft of 2.89 m, a gross tonnage of 1255.25, and a service speed of 15.15 knots (28.06 km/h). Due to the number of tidal currents which meet off Land's End, and the need for a shallow draught to allow access to the Islands, the sea journey can be rough, causing sea sickness. For this reason the ship is fitted with a "Flume" antiroll stabiliser system. The ship is also designed to have a shallow draft and can sit on the seabed when there is insufficient water.

Scillonian III is currently in service for passengers and cargo 8 months of the year, carrying up to 485 passengers (the current licensed limit) for day trips or longer holidays to the Islands. As a preferred means of transport between Scilly and the mainland, she is a familiar sight in Penzance and St Mary's – often photographed by tourists and also featured in the BBC series, An Island Parish.