The St Michael is Unveiled

Our Amphicraft, the St Michael has been under cover on the harbour-side all summer undergoing essential maintenance in preparation for the winter months.  With work on it almost complete, the vessel has recently been unveiled from its covering and with just a few more jobs to carry out; she will soon be ready to head back into the water, replacing our ferry boats when the winter weather becomes too difficult for them to operate.

The St Michael is an original design called the ‘Seamaster’. With a length of 10.0m, beam of 3.6m and capacity for 46 passengers or 6,000kg of cargo, the Seamaster is truly a capable machine.

The final specifications included twin engines, two hydraulic lift stairways and a disabled person’s lift that doubles as a cargo loading platform.  The St. Michael provides a transport lifeline to residents of the island during the winter months when the Marazion to St. Michael’s Mount duty boat service is not operating, ferrying the island children to school, bringing provisions from the mainland and transporting out of season visitors.

Building of it started in 2000 and was completed in 2003 by Sivad Maritime in Falmouth, the amphibious vehicle was specifically commissioned by Lord St Levan to transport the St Aubyn family and the islanders to and from St. Michael’s Mount, replacing amongst other things, the WWII DUKWs that used to service the Mount for similar purposes.

The St. Michael has the royal seal of approval, after a visit in 2006 by the Earl and Countess of Wessex when Prince Edward tried his hand at driving it while visiting the island. It was also the transport of choice for HRH Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Phillip during their visit here in 2013.