Royal Mail ship St Helena departs Portland for last time

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ROYAL Mail Ship St Helena will mark the end of an era today as it departs Portland for the last time.

The 6,767-tonne cargo and passenger vessel has spent the last week in the island’s commercial port ahead of its final scheduled voyage from the UK.

St Helena is one of only two Royal Mail Ships left in the world and acts as a lifeline for its tropical island namesake in the South Atlantic.

It is the sole source of supply of all goods for St Helena, which is 1,500 miles north west of Cape Town and currently only accessible by sea.

Dignitaries, press and port authority representatives gathered on board yesterday to celebrate the bittersweet historic milestone for the remote British outpost, which has made regular trips to the UK since 1977.

Kedell Worboys, St Helena government’s UK representative, said: “The voyage marks the end of an era for the RMS and the island of St Helena.

“The fact that the RMS will not be calling at Portland again is emotional for the many islanders who reside in the UK as it’s a symbolic link to home. The ship is held in such high regard with everyone that has had the pleasure to be on board.”

The 128-berth ship, which celebrates its 21st anniversary in November, will now make more regular trips between Cape Town, Ascention Island and St Helena to improve access to the island.

Captain Andrew Greentree said the island’s economy was dependant on tourists and it was hoped an airport would be built there in the next five years.

Mark Capes, who will travel on the ship’s last voyage ahead of becoming the island’s new governor, said: “There are a lot of changes taking place on St Helena in preparation for an airport.

“This will change the island considerably and my job is to ensure it’s done in a way everyone’s comfortable with.

“It’s an exciting time to be there.”