Passenger information

Check-in times

We ask all passengers to be at the designated check-in point 20 minutes before the advised departure time.

Unfortunately, we can’t offer any refunds or credit if you’re late. We advise that you allow plenty of time for your journey as the roads to Penzance can get busy, especially during school holidays.

Meeting point on St Mary’s

Passengers checking-in on St Mary’s should wait in front of the harbour office, by the Scillonian check-in desk,  for a staff member to meet them.

Meeting points in Penzance

Passengers checking-in and departing from Penzance should wait at either of the two meeting points highlighted below, depending on the vessel departure time.

Departure during office hours (08:00 – 16:00): The Isles of Scilly Freight office, pictured below.

Departure outside of office hours: In front of the ranks building, pictured below.

Please note that this is a working quay, and care should be taken to follow the designated footpaths to the meeting points.

We will need to see proof of identity before boarding. Please ensure that you have your photo ID and confirmation ticket or boarding passes to hand.

The journey time on our freight vessels is approximately 5 hours.

Journey times can be extended so it is advisable that you are in good health with no underlying health conditions or current injuries.

Please be aware that due to factors beyond our control, and to ensure the safety of all persons, the Master may have to take the difficult decision to restrict or cancel the carriage of passengers.

Embarking and disembarking safely

Please be aware that embarking and disembarking Gry Maritha and Gugh may involve having to climb ship and quay ladders.

We would like to remind passengers that Gry Maritha and Gugh are working freight vessels, that have the ability to carry passengers in times of need.

Journey times can be extended so it is advisable that you are in good health with no underlying health conditions or current injuries.

Passengers who are clearly under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted to travel.

Unaccompanied minors

Passengers aged 12 to 15 in need of essential travel are welcome to travel on our freight vessels as long as they are accompanied by a responsible adult.
Passengers under the age of 12 years old cannot travel on Gry Maritha or Gugh.

Expectant mothers

Expectant mothers, 28 weeks and over, are not permitted to travel on the vessels. Those under 28 weeks may travel, but the decision will be made on a case-by-case basis under the discretion of the Master.

Special assistance

In the interest of safety, we advise that passengers wishing to travel on our freight vessels do not have any mobility issues including injuries.
For passengers who need a little extra help, we’ll do everything we can to offer advice prior to travelling on board Gry Maritha or Gugh. If you have any queries or special requirements, or would like to discuss your requirements, please call us at least 48 hours prior to your departure time on 01736 334220.

Pets

Pets cannot be carried on Gry Maritha or Gugh.

Suitable clothing

Please ensure that you have suitable clothing for the journey in the event the weather is cold, or conditions are wet.

Smoking, e-cigarettes and alcohol

Smoking or vaping is not permitted on board; this also includes the use of E-Cigarettes. Alcohol consumption on board is also not permitted.

Passengers who are clearly under the influence of drugs or alcohol will not be permitted to travel.

Food and drink

Passengers will be provided with complimentary bottled water and biscuits. We advise passengers to bring their own snacks.

Cooking/hot drink facilities are not available for passenger use on board.

Motion sickness

If you are susceptible to motion sickness, please ensure that you take the necessary precautions. Motion sickness medication is not available on board the ship.

For further information on motion sickness, please visit: NHS MOTION SICKNESS

Passengers will have seating space available to them. However, passengers are not allocated a seat and will be expected to occasionally move or stand-up to allow free movement of other passengers/crew.

Life jackets

Life jackets will be issued by the crew if required and when instructed by the crew must be worn for your safety.

Passenger muster points and instructions

Passengers will be allocated a muster point and instructions will be given on actions to take in an emergency once on board, including identifying the different alarms.

Please be aware that due to factors beyond our control, and to ensure the safety of all persons, the Master may have to take the difficult decision to restrict or cancel the carriage of passengers.

Free wi-fi is available on board Gry Maritha however during the crossing wi-fi connection may be intermittent or not available.
There is currently no onboard wi-fi available to passengers travelling on Gugh.

Parking in Penzance

For those travelling on Gry Maritha or Gugh, the public car park in Penzance is ideal. The Harbour car park is only 800m (half a mile) from the quay.

Cornwall Harbour car park

Situated within the Harbour Long Stay Car Park, Penzance TR18 2GB (to access head past Penzance bus station and bear right off the slipway)

Distance to Penzance train station: 0.2 miles – 4-minute walk

Distance from Penzance Quay: 0.5 miles – 6-minute walk

Directions to Penzance Harbour

• By Road: Follow A30 to Penzance and then signs for Scillonian III / sea front. Gry Maritha and Gugh depart from North Arm Pier, Wharf Road, Penzance, Cornwall, TR18 4AA.
• By Rail: Penzance station is an 800m (half a mile) walk or a short taxi ride to Penzance Harbour. Taxi services operate from the taxi rank directly outside the railway station. For information call National Rail enquiries on 03457 484 950 or visit gwr.com
• By Bus: Penzance bus station is directly opposite the railway station. It’s an 800m (half a mile) or short taxi ride to Gry Maritha and Gugh departure points on North Arm Pier. Taxi services can be picked up from outside Penzance railway station.

Passengers should be aware there is no dedicated space for passenger luggage on board. Luggage may be placed in a container or in the hold depending on the number of passengers and luggage carried.
Non-standard luggage bags can be difficult to store on board, it is appreciated if luggage is of standard bag type.
Any standard luggage bags more than 20kg or non-standard items should be declared at the time of booking and, if necessary, booked as freight.

Please note:

• To protect the health and safety of our employees no single item of luggage is permitted to weigh more than 20kg.
• The vessel master reserves the right to search luggage for the purposes of vessel security.
• Once loaded into our containers it cannot be accessed again until it’s been unloaded after arrival at the vessel’s destination.

All passengers and luggage must disembark the vessels on arrival.  On occasion the vessels will arrive in the early/late hours, so pre-arranging onward travel is required.

No dangerous goods are to be carried on board Gry Maritha or Gugh.

Like any offshore destination, travel to the Isles of Scilly can occasionally be delayed by bad weather and other eventualities. It therefore makes sense to insure your trip.

Please be aware that due to factors beyond our control, and to ensure the safety of all persons, the Master may have to take the difficult decision to restrict or cancel the carriage of passengers.

Isles of Scilly Travel – 01736 334220

Please be aware that due to factors beyond our control, and to ensure the safety of all persons, the Master may have to take the difficult decision to restrict or cancel the carriage of passengers.

In the event of needing to amend or cancel your booking, please take the time to familiarise yourself with our amendments and cancellations policy, which can be found online at: Terms & conditions

If there’s anything you’re not sure about, please feel free to call our travel centre on 01736 334220.