99 Photo: credit I made in our first meetings with our naval architect, BMT Architects, was that I wanted the vessels to look attractive. The ship will have a prominent place in Penzance, and I want people to come into the town and think ‘I want to go on that’. “The vessel will feature comfortable seating and large windows, allowing guests to look out onto the scenery as they travel to the islands. There will also be increased cargo capacity for luggage, camping equipment, kayaks, diving equipment – everything you might want to bring on holiday.” The operator is working with several Cornish companies to ensure it is using local materials wherever possible, including hydraulic and steering systems from manufacturers Armarda Engineering and Wills Ridley. “As a responsible entity, we have to make sure that we are using local, sustainable materials, and we’ve done that wherever we can,” says Reid. This commitment to the local community has been part of the company from its founding to the present day, as it works closely with businesses and charities to support their work. Maintaining this connection with the delivery of the new ships is essential to the survival of the community, suggests Reid. “Tourism makes up 85 per cent of the Isles’ economy,” he says. “In reality, that means they are almost entirely reliant on that income. That’s why we work closely with the community to connect passengers with local businesses. We bring the passengers, and they provide everything they need for an enjoyable visit – it’s a symbiotic relationship.”
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