Plantain Marine was started in 1993 with the purchase of a 40ft Nelson pilot boat. When the company relocated to Cornwall in 1995 the obvious place to expand was the nearby Falmouth Docks. The fleet of one 40ft Nelson Pilot boat, used for personnel and light stores, was increased by the purchase (and modification) of a 40ft wooden fishing boat that had previously been used for dive charters, to enable the company to carry larger stores.