Bearface,
Yet but the hovercrafts on the cross channel service stayed in service until they were airframe time expired, as I'd be crossing on SeaFrance I'd watch them whizzing past on many an occasion!
So sea crossings to/from Scillies are far from ideal ... the future is fixed wing air travel where, during inclement (fog) conditions, the island airport may remain below operating minima for days at a time, the sun will be merrily shining above but because there is so little land to the islands there is indeed insufficient land for the sun to warm needed to lift the fog.
Someone asked the question a while back, is there an aircraft capable of shifting 20+ punters in/out of St. Mary's and, should the chopper service withdraw, what about the future of air services to Tresco ... Well tell me that hovercraft couldn't fulfill both of these.