On 15 September 2026, the Council launched a tender process to enable the appointment of an operator (or operators) to provide an inter-island commuter passenger boat service connecting St Agnes and St Martin's with St Mary's. We regret to inform the community that, as yet, this appointment has not been possible.
A single bid was received as part of the tender process, despite an extension to the deadline. This bid was submitted by a consortium of local boating operators. The price submitted was substantially higher than the Council’s modelling and current expenditure indicated and contained insufficient information for the Council to demonstrate reasonable value for money. As such, the Council requested further evidence from the consortium to substantiate the bid amount, in line with procurement rules.
Unfortunately, the Council received notification on 7 October 2026 that the consortium had formally withdrawn its tender.
Cllr Joel Williams, Chairman of the Council of the Isles of Scilly said: “Members and officers appreciate this news will cause greatest concern to the communities of St Agnes and St Martin’s. We’d like to take this opportunity to reassure residents that they won’t be left without a boating service while we continue to prioritise getting an affordable, sustainable solution in place, and that we’ll update everyone as soon as we know more.”
Next steps
The Council remains committed to sourcing operators to provide dependable winter connections for St Agnes and St Martin’s and will move quickly to review the specification to establish how the essential connectivity residents need can be secured, at an affordable and sustainable cost.
The Council remains willing to work constructively with local boat operators, and the Department for Transport is being kept informed of developments.