The ambulance has speeded up travel times

It follows fears that funding would run out 15 months after the �250,000 ambulance boat Star of Life was launched.

Local GPs have persuaded the West Cornwall Primary Care Trust to contribute to its running costs, including employing a boatman.

The custom-built catamaran serves 700 people who welcomed the news.

One young mother, Zoe Julian, who lives on St Martin said: "It's only fair that the Primary Care Trust heps fund the service."

The Westcountry Ambulance Service, which owns the boat, has also told the BBC plans are under way to improve medical cover even further.

They are planning to provide Land Rovers or even quad bikes for volunteers to transport patients to the island quaysides to meet the water ambulance.