Landing craft to carry gig boats

The Scillonian III will also take on extra freight

An extra ship is having to be laid on to transfer gigs to the Isles of Scilly for the World Pilot Gig Championships.

The move was necessary after the islands' freight ship failed a maintenance inspection.

The Gry Maritha could be out of action for six weeks after being deemed unfit to sail because of rusty ballast tanks.

But the Isles of Scilly Steamship Company is bringing in the Island Lady landing craft to help the Scillonian III, which will take on extra cargo.

The annual gig championship, which is taking place from Friday 2 May until Monday 5 May, normally doubles the population of the islands, with crews from home and abroad competing in a variety of classed events.

Teams from around the world come to the Scillies to compete

Last year, about 2,000 people attended the event, giving a huge boost to the islands' economy.

The first gigs were built at the end of the 18th Century in Cornwall to take a pilot out to sailing ships to safely navigate the small harbours.

These gigs had to be fast as it was the pilot from the first boat to reach the anchored ship who was paid for the job.

Traditionally, the 32ft (10m) gigs are clinker-built rowing boats made from elm and crewed by six oarsmen and a coxswain.

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