St Helena : PRESS RELEASE - RMS ST HELENA FORWARD SCHEDULE
Submitted by Saint Helena Herald (Gavin Yon) 16.12.2004 (Current Article)

As the public are already aware, following the advice of the High Point Rendell Study, a decision was taken to withdraw the RMS St Helena

As the public are already aware, following the advice of the High Point Rendell Study, a decision was taken to withdraw the RMS St Helena from the UK and for the ship to serve in the South Atlantic only with effect from September 2004.  It was agreed, based on the information received, that the South Atlantic schedule would be in place for a trial period of one year only.

The trial period takes us up to September 2005, and already we have Saints and other potential visitors enquiring about Christmas 2005 and beyond.  The St Helena Government has recognised that early decisions need to be made so that bookings can be secured.  They have therefore asked for Business Plans be drawn up by St Helena Line and Andrew Weir Shipping Limited to reflect the projections for the next financial year based on the following options so that informed decisions on the forward schedule can be made:

Option 1

• Business plans assuming that the RMS St Helena remains in the South Atlantic.

Option 2

• Business plans that the RMS make two annual voyages to the United Kingdom – one before Christmas and one approximately 6 months later.

Although the Business Plans are in transit at the time of writing, the St Helena Government have been advised by St Helena Line that there may be relatively little difference in the financial impact of either option.

The St Helena Government is therefore prepared to consider public views on each option before considering the issue in January, prior to an option being selected to ensure maximisation of potential revenue.

The public are invited to send their views along with their supporting reasons to The Access Office, The Castle, or email sharonh@sainthelena.gov.sh by no later than the Friday, 31^st December 2004.

S Wainwright

Access Project Manager

10^TH December 2004

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