Eight-Year-Old Gets Dream Day as Wightlink Names Him Captain
Ellis Steers St Cecilia on Last Ever Solent Crossing
Eight-year-old Ellis Yeats from Gosport lived every ship lover’s dream on Friday 25 January. Wightlink’s oldest ferry, the 32-year-old St Cecilia, made its final voyage across the Solent – with Ellis as honorary captain.
Ellis, Wightlink’s biggest fan, faces a tough battle with Chiari malformation, a rare brain condition. Despite several operations, he’s full of life and passion for ships, especially St Cecilia. He often watches the Portsmouth Harbour comings and goings with his mum, Emily.
VIP Treatment for Special Day
Knowing how much Ellis adores St Cecilia, Wightlink staff invited him and Emily to join the retirement celebrations. Decked out in a genuine captain’s hat and sweater gifted by Wightlink, Ellis got to help Captain Jim Blanch steer the historic vessel. He also cut a celebratory cake and proudly read his own poem about the ferry.
“I had the most amazing day on board the glorious St Cecilia and I was so astonished at all the wonderful things I was able to do,” said Ellis. “Wightlink has been so good to me and I felt like a proper VIP. I will remember the day always. Thank you Wightlink, you rock!”
Wightlink’s New Star Awaits Ellis
Wightlink Operations Director Daryl Palmer praised Ellis’s spirit: “Young Ellis has captured the hearts of everyone at the company and we were delighted to welcome him on board for this special day.”
Ellis has already met Wightlink’s new flagship, the Victoria of Wight, and looks forward to sailing on her in the near future.
Farewell to St Cecilia
After her farewell trip, St Cecilia heads to Italy, joining sister ships St Catherine and St Helen with ferry operator Delcomar, ferrying passengers between Sardinia and surrounding islands.
