Discover the Gry-Maritha: Ratings & Maritime News

The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group has expressed regret over a recent disruption to ferry services caused by a compass malfunction on the 'Gry Maritha.' This technical issue led to a 24-hour suspension of the ferry operations on April 1. As a result, St. Mary's Co-op, the sole supermarket on the islands, faced empty shelves, creating inconvenience for residents and visitors alike. Fortunately, freight services were back on track on April 2 with the resumption of operations by the 'Scillonian III,' restoring supplies to the islands.

The Isles of Scilly will face a supply challenge as the Gry Maritha undergoes necessary repairs estimated to take a minimum of eight weeks. The vessel's windlass, crucial for anchoring and securing moorings, sustained damage at St Mary's harbour due to severe winds on December 12. While the Gry Maritha can still operate, its activity is restricted to wind conditions that do not exceed force five on the Beaufort scale, classified as a fresh breeze. In response, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) is implementing contingency measures, utilizing additional landing crafts, aircraft, and the Scillonian III passenger ferry to ensure the continuous supply of fresh food to the island residents. Technical teams have been actively investigating repair solutions for the windlass, but due to the age of the ship, replacement parts are no longer available. Consequently, the decision was made to fabricate a new shaft, with initial work commencing before the Christmas season.

On December 12, 2025, the supply ship 'Gry Maritha' faced significant challenges while docked in St Mary's due to unexpected stormy conditions. Rather than discharging its cargo, the vessel was forced to return to Penzance, leaving behind valuable shipments of fresh food and beverages intended for the Isles of Scilly. Departing from Penzance on schedule that evening, the 'Gry Maritha' arrived in St Mary's only to encounter swirling winds and rough seas that caused considerable damage to its forward windlass and windlass shaft. In light of these complications, the operator Isles of Scilly Freight expressed their gratitude to both Lands End Airport and St Mary's Airport for their exceptional support in extending flying hours. As a result, SkyBus stepped in, executing six additional freight flights that successfully transported over four tonnes of essential supplies to the islands. This prompt response was crucial in ensuring that residents on the Isles of Scilly received the necessary goods despite the maritime setbacks.

On October 29, 2019, the 'Gry Maritha' encountered engine issues while traveling from Penzance to St Mary's. The vessel, carrying 55 passengers, faced a setback when its starboard engine failed approximately 7.5 miles off St. Martins Head, located at the coordinates 50 00 14.4 N, 006 06 40.2 W. The incident occurred at 2:10 PM, raising concerns among those on board. Fortunately, after around 30 minutes of troubleshooting, the crew managed to resolve the issue, allowing the engine to resume normal operation. The quick response ensured the safety of all aboard as the vessel continued its journey.

On January 7, the freight vessel Gry Maritha officially resumed its service after a recent grounding incident that occurred while approaching the islands. The ship had sustained damage after colliding with Crow Rock, located approximately half a mile off St Mary's, during its journey from Penzance to the islands. Following a thorough assessment of the repairs needed, Gry Maritha was allowed to return to the mainland for necessary minor repairs at Penzance Dry Dock. Adverse weather conditions forced a delay in Gry Maritha's scheduled departure on January 6, prompting a 24-hour postponement from Penzance to St Mary's. Additionally, worries regarding the condition of St Mary's quay, which has been significantly impacted by recent storms, led to adjustments in the vessel's operational procedures. The Gry Maritha finally made its return to the islands around lunchtime, adhering to the modified working protocols necessitated by the quay's condition. For more details, including images of the vessel at work, visit: http://www.thisiscornwall.co.uk/Supply-ship-operating-collision/story-20414698-detail/story.html#ixzz2ptR7fIA9

On the evening of December 30, 2013, the supply ship Gry Maritha encountered an unexpected obstacle when it ran aground on Crow Rock while en route to St Mary's at approximately 6:15 p.m. Having departed from Penzance, the vessel successfully navigated back to the mainland using its own propulsion system. The incident prompted a crew member to alert the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), leading to a comprehensive investigation. Authorities took precautionary measures, conducting a breathalyzer test on the ship's captain, which returned negative results. While the St Mary’s harbour master conducted a preliminary inspection and reported no apparent damage, the Gry Maritha will undergo a detailed examination in dry dock at Penzance, scheduled for January 2, to ascertain any potential damages. Initial assessments suggest that only minor hull repairs may be necessary. To mitigate disruptions, the operating company is preparing alternative arrangements to transport essential supplies to the islands via its Skybus service, contingent on favorable weather conditions.