Lifeline cargo vessel repairs to take two months
BBCRepairs to the cargo vessel that supplies the Isles of Scilly will take at least eight weeks.
The windlass, or winch, which winds the anchor and tightens moorings was damaged on Gry Maritha while at St Mary's harbour in heavy winds on 12 December.
The ship was built in 1982 and will still be able to operate but only when winds are below force five on the Beaufort scale, which is categorised as a fresh breeze.
Operators the Isles of Scilly Steamship Group (ISSG) said it would be using additional landing craft, planes and the passenger ferry Scillonian III to maintain supplies of fresh food to islanders.
ISSG said "technical teams have been actively exploring options to repair the windlass" but replacement parts were no longer available due to the age of the vessel.
"As a result we have taken the decision to machine a new shaft", the company added, and work started on this before Christmas.
Steamship group CEO Stuart Reid said: "When the windlass broke the Gry Maritha had to come back to Penzance with fresh food supplies.
"The Gry is 45 years old and you can't just buy replacement parts off the shelf.
"We've chartered an extra landing craft Tean and we are also using our own landing craft Gugh. Skybus planes are also on hand to deliver fresh food."
The Scillonian III is currently in Penzance dry dock but will be available to carry cargo in "about a months time," he added.
Mr Reid added: "Our motto is delivering for Scilly and everything we do is about supporting the community and the businesses out there".
A new cargo ship called Menawethan has been built at a shipyard in Vietnam and is undergoing final checks by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency before sea trials begin at the end of the month
After trials have been completed the vessel will make the journey from Vietnam to Cornwall and is due to enter service in May.
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