September started with a visit from the ‘Grey Bear’, a small, 15m landing craft which was used to carry a small cherry picker on behalf of Kier Western- the builders of the now complete new Island’s school.

The rest of the month saw visits from several cruise ships including the Hebridean Princess, Ocean Countess and ending our cruise ship season for this year, Fram. Other vessels of note include the UK Border Agency Vessel ‘Valiant’, the THV ‘Galatea’ and the French sail training ships ‘La Recouverance’ and ‘Rara Avis’

Now in the first few days of October the Scillonian has reduced her sailings from six to four a week before stopping for the winter at the end of the month. We also expect that the local moorings will empty out during any spells of favourable weather this as people start to bring their vessels ashore. Some of the facilities around the quay will be reduced as the month goes on such as showers, recycling and general refuse facilities. Winter maintenance will commence as will the installation of our new 500kg unloading davit. The davit-made by Spencer Carter- has been purchased after obtaining funding from the AONB Sustainable Development Fund, the Isles of Scilly Local Action Group and also the Duchy of Cornwall. This new piece of equipment will greatly improve conditions for our local fisherman and local harbour users alike as we currently have no fixed carnage facilities on the quay.