Farewell to the 'vomit comet': scillonian iii ends 50-year run

The familiar churn of engines and the bracing scent of Atlantic spray will soon be absent from Penzance harbor as the Scillonian III, affectionately—and sometimes less so—known as the “vomit comet,” prepares for its final voyages to the Isles of Scilly. A palpable mix of nostalgia and apprehension hangs in the air amongst passengers boarding the venerable ferry this week, marking the end of an era for both the islands and those who’ve relied on the vessel for nearly half a century.

A lifelong connection to the sea

For superfan Sholto Blackwell, 43, the Scillonian III represents far more than just a ferry. “She’s been a constant in my life,” he explains, recalling childhood holidays spent traversing the 30-mile stretch of water separating the mainland from the Scilly archipelago. Despite a family history of seafaring—his father a merchant navy seaman—Blackwell admits to experiencing seasickness, a common affliction amongst passengers when the Atlantic swell picks up. “I’d rather be sea-sick on that vessel than not be on her at all,