RMS St Helena sets sail for final time
14th October 2011
Today the UK will wave goodbye to the RMS St Helena – the sole source of supply to the Remote British Outpost – for the last time
One of the world's last working Royal Mail Ships and a lifeline to St Helena, will set sail from Portland, Dorset later today on its final voyage from the UK.
“This voyage marks the end of an era for the RMS and the island of St Helena. The fact that the RMS will not be calling at Portland again is emotional for the many Saints who reside in the UK as it’s a symbolic link to home.” said Kedell Worboys, the St Helena Government’s UK Representative.
The RMS St Helena has been making the journey to and from the isolated island since 1977. Ending the service from the UK however, will see an improvement in the service around the south Atlantic.
Without having to journey so far north, the RMS can call at St Helena more frequently – improving overall access to the island. It will still call at Cape Town and Ascension Island.
Found 1,500 miles north-west of Cape Town, the little-known island of St Helena is one of the most isolated islands in the world. With a population just under 4,000 it's a relatively undiscovered but rich and rewarding travel destination.
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