Scillonian III inbound to Penzance, UK. Penzance Harbour, Cornwall, England, UK. Editorial Image: ID 250311259 | Scillonian III © Peter Titmuss | Dreamstime.com
After nearly five decades of carrying passengers across the sometimes unforgiving waters between Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, Britain's affectionately nicknamed 'Vomit Comet' has completed her final voyage. And despite her reputation for turning even confident travellers a little green, hundreds gathered to say goodbye.
Some ships are remembered for their luxury, others for their speed or impressive facilities. And then there's Scillonian III, a passenger ferry that earned herself the rather unfortunate nickname of the Vomit Comet.
For almost 50 years, the vessel has carried passengers between Penzance in Cornwall and St Mary's in the Isles of Scilly, navigating a stretch of the Atlantic Ocean that isn't always particularly forgiving.
On Sunday, 8 November 2026, Scillonian III completed her final passenger sailing, bringing an end to 49 years of service and countless memorable crossings.
Some more memorable than others, particularly for passengers who discovered the hard way that they didn't have quite the sea legs they'd hoped for.
Why Was Scillonian III Nicknamed the Vomit Comet?
The nickname wasn't entirely undeserved.
The ferry's route covers approximately 37 nautical miles between mainland Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, with the journey generally taking around three hours.
While the islands themselves are a beautiful destination, getting there by sea can sometimes be an adventure.
Scillonian III was specifically designed with a shallow draught, allowing her to enter the harbours at Penzance and St Mary's even when water levels were relatively low.
Unfortunately, the shallow hull that made her so practical for the route also meant she could roll and pitch considerably in rough weather.
The exposed Atlantic waters off Land's End certainly didn't help.
As the BBC explained in its coverage of the ferry's final season, her relatively flat bottom could make the crossing particularly uncomfortable when conditions deteriorated.
For passengers prone to motion sickness, a three-hour journey could feel considerably longer.
And so the affectionate nickname Vomit Comet stuck.
It's probably fair to say that a ferry with a reputation like that wouldn't feature particularly highly on my personal travel wishlist. I love being on the water, but my stomach occasionally has other ideas.
Still, despite her reputation for rather enthusiastic movement in rough seas, the ferry became a much-loved part of life in the Isles of Scilly.
Nearly 50 Years of History
Scillonian III was built at Appledore Shipbuilders in North Devon and officially launched on 17 May 1977 by the then Prince Charles, Duke of Cornwall.
According to the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group's historical records, the vessel entered passenger service later that month, replacing Scillonian II.
She was the third passenger ferry to carry the Scillonian name, continuing a service that dates back to 1926.
With capacity for approximately 485 passengers, the new diesel-powered vessel was a significant addition to the islands' transport network.
Over the following 49 years, she became a familiar sight in both Penzance and St Mary's harbours.
According to the Steamship Group, Scillonian III carried more than five million passengers during her working life.
That's an awful lot of passengers, and presumably an equally impressive number of seasickness tablets.
But the ferry was much more than a way for tourists to reach the islands.
For local residents, she provided an important connection to mainland Britain, carrying generations of islanders, families, workers and visitors between the two destinations.
For many, the familiar sight of the ferry arriving in harbour became part of everyday island life.
An Emotional Farewell for an Unlikely Maritime Celebrity
Despite her reputation for giving passengers a rather lively crossing, Scillonian III's final voyage was an emotional occasion.
On Sunday, 8 November, the ferry departed St Mary's for the last time, making the journey back to Penzance with passengers, former crew members and maritime enthusiasts aboard.
According to The Guardian's report on the farewell, the occasion included sea shanties, stories of memorable crossings and more than a few tears.
Boats accompanied the ferry as she departed the islands, while hundreds gathered at Penzance harbour to welcome her home.
The vessel's final weekend was also blessed with unusually calm conditions.
After a lifetime of being associated with rough crossings, it seems the Atlantic decided to give the old girl a relatively gentle send-off.
In its official farewell announcement, the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group acknowledged the important place the ferry holds in the community.
Chief Executive Stuart Reid described the occasion as the end of an extraordinary chapter, recognising the generations of passengers and islanders who had travelled aboard the ship.
And while the seasickness stories might attract the laughs, there's no denying that Scillonian III has earned her place in local maritime history.
A New Ferry Promises a Smoother Ride
Fortunately for anyone who has ever boarded the Vomit Comet with a packet of travel sickness tablets and a healthy dose of optimism, her replacement has been designed with passenger comfort firmly in mind.
The new Scillonian IV is scheduled to enter service in March 2027, continuing the passenger ferry connection between Penzance and the Isles of Scilly.
The vessel forms part of the Steamship Group's £40 million fleet replacement programme.
According to the operator's announcement, the new ferry will offer:
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Capacity for up to 600 passengers, approximately 24% more than her predecessor.
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Reduced journey times.
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Modern roll and pitch reduction systems designed to improve passenger comfort.
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More efficient propulsion technology.
Of course, even the most modern ferry can't guarantee a completely smooth crossing when the Atlantic Ocean decides otherwise.
But the additional stabilisation features should hopefully give passengers a better chance of arriving at their destination feeling ready to explore, rather than desperately searching for dry land.
What Happens to Scillonian III Now?
Although her passenger-carrying career has officially ended, the ferry's future has yet to be decided.
The Isles of Scilly Steamship Group announced in February 2026 that Scillonian III would be placed on the market, alongside the freight vessel Gry Maritha.
The company appointed specialist shipbrokers to manage the sales as part of its fleet renewal programme.
Where the much-loved old ferry eventually ends up remains to be seen.
After 49 years, more than 10,000 crossings and over five million passengers, Scillonian III has certainly earned her retirement.
And while the Isles of Scilly will undoubtedly benefit from a newer, more comfortable ferry, there's something rather charming about an old vessel that could make passengers feel absolutely dreadful, yet still inspire such affection.
Farewell, Vomit Comet.
You may not have offered the smoothest crossing, but you certainly gave people something to remember.
