"Scillonian III" now runs between Penzance and Hugh Town, St. Mary's for about eight months only, from early spring (March/April) until autumn (October/November). Through the winter months, she is laid up in Penzance harbour and a cargo-only service to the Isles of Scilly is then provided by "Gry Maritha". The annual winter period is used to carry out a maintenance programme, during which "Scillonian III" is painted and undergoes technical inspections as well as surveys for passenger vessel certification by the Maritime and Coastguard Agency. The ferry's season thus largely coincides with the tourist season on the Isles of Scilly, which normally runs from Easter to the first weekend in October. The ferry is in fact so closely associated with the summer season on Scilly that for many people, "the sight of the ship Scillonian III [arriving in the Isles of Scilly is a celebrated indication that spring has sprung."