Waverley Updates - 2018

[Rob Lightbody]

Hi,
 
Can our Waverley experts tell me why it was sailing this weekend on the Clyde and not up to Oban!  I was thinking I'd have liked to have been on her until I read this...

http://www.eveningtimes.co.uk/news/16253083.Police_called_to_family-friendly_boat_trip_after_it_descends_into__booze_cruise__madness/

What are they going to do to sort out this problem?  I tell everyone to not go near the Waverley on a Saturday.

[Clydebuilt1971]

Hi Rob,

She has sailed on the Clyde during May Bank Holiday for the last couple of seasons - she heads to Oban tomorrow.

I guess its a good shakedown weekend to iron out any post layup issues.

As to the article - this is nothing new as far as I'm concerned. I wasn't on board on Saturday but have spoken to a few who were and they said there were a few rowdy characters whom the local police had a word with when she returned to Glasgow that night but otherwise it was  good cruise in great weather.

I personally wouldn't and don't recommend Saturday's to people - Sundays or through the weekend are generally better.

Saturdays attract the Hen Do / Stag Do / Pub or Work day out which usually means the ship is busier and noisier!

That article amps it up a bit too much - given what I was told and there is security on board during the upriver leg on Saturdays.

Personally I doubt Waverley Excursions will do anything!!!

Gav

[cunardqueen]

Some might say its part of the perks of being Scottish.....
But dont judge the ship or the event by a few idiots.
Bringing the law into it, its an offence to serve someone who is drunk , more drink. Now you try telling a person who is drunk that. you pay as well blow in the wind. But by and large alcohol sales do bring in a good source of revenue. The dreaded Tattoo ink festival onboard Queen Mary is simply a gold mine, and granted it doesnt always go as planned, the minor incidents are "tolerated" 
Then again their classic sunday brunch is an event with free pouring "Champagne" In truth its sparkling wine,  and l have yet to see folk going round out of their minds on drink   and they really do keep your glass filled up untill you say No

What i find so strange is l worked at New year Bash in Scotland, it was smply nothing more that a glorified piss up .. and scenes of vile behaviour and the group was no more than a hundred...

Yet l have been to New year parties in Vegas, Queen Mary, A Gala Bash on The Medway in San Diego (with a hosted bar !!!)  and none of the events have the drinking culture of us Scottish....sad but true...
But Scotland im afraid to say, we do have  a nasty relationship with drink.

[Clydebuilt1971]

I wasn't on over the weekend but Lorraine Hamilton, Robbie Mathieson and Robert Brown gave me their permission to post some photos.

(1) Passing Meadowside, Glasgow on Sunday - the Govan Shipyard of BAE Systems (formerly Fairfields) just coming into view on right of shot. (Robbie Mathieson)
(2) At Keppel Pier, Cumbrae on Sunday. Unfortunately Millport Pier will be out of commission for the foreseeable future as the local council are reluctant to effect the repairs to allow Waverley to call. Keppel Pier is on the east side of the island and is owned by the marine laboratory there who kindly allow Waverley to use it during her season. (Robert Brown)
(3) Inbound passing Renfrew on Sunday evening after another busy summer day on the river. I love these stern shots in the setting sun with the red ensign fluttering in the breeze. (Lorraine Hamilton)

Gav

[Clydebuilt1971]

Waverley is currently berthed at Kyle of Lochalsh pier having sailed to Oban from Glasgow on Tuesday and then onwards to Kyle yesterday. She will be sailing from Kyle for the next two days calling at Rassay and Portree, Isle of Skye.

The Glasgow - Oban sailing is unique in it being the longest excursion sailing Waverley undertakes during her season - due to passenger certificate restrictions she cannot carry passengers on her other "positioning runs" between sailing areas (Merseyside, Bristol Channel, South Coast, Thames) - I have taken this sailing 5 times and in the right weather it is glorius - its a long day but worth it! After leaving Glasgow at 0700 she calls at Greenock, Campbeltown and Colonsay before arriving at Oban North Pier at 2030.

A few shots from James Ross and Ronnie Brown taken during that day.

(1) Heading downriver with Dumbarton Rock approaching on the starboard side. Water is like a mill pond!
(2) Exiting the Tan Channel - which is the stretch of water between Large and Small Cumbrae, River Clyde.
(3) Leaving the Sound of Islay behind heading for Colonsay.
(4) Stern view of her alongside at Colonsay with The Paps of Jura in the background.
(5) Taking a well earned rest in a beautiful Western Isles sunset - Oban North Pier.
(6) A busy Oban Bay the following morning:
     Waverley at North Pier - right in shot
     Coll, Tiree and Barra ferry mv Clansman centre shot
     Isle of Mull ferry mv Isle of Mull left in shot
     Isle of Lismore ferry mv Loch Striven heading for her berth astern of Isle of Mull left in shot.

The Western Isles sailings are truly unique these days - these sailings are not offered by any other vessel in 2018. Balmoral undertook a similar programme during July last year but sadly she is unable to sail this year due to a funding shortfall - fingers crossed for 2019!

In the meantime I hope you enjoy these photos - if not of the ship (why not??  ) but of the scenery!

I have many pictures from the four times I have joined the ship for these 10 day sojourns - the programme has changed since I was last on (she used to head to Oban on a Friday and do the Skye sailings through the week) but these waters will always be amongst the most beautiful I have ever had the privilege to sail on!

Gav

[Thomas Hypher]

Beautiful landscape and ship, also like the paddle steamer wake from her paddle wheels! Excellent photos!

[Clydebuilt1971]

Beautiful landscape and ship, also like the paddle steamer wake from her paddle wheels! Excellent photos!

And you can see from the gap between the wake why she doesn't steer well at slow speed!!!



If you haven't already done this and are interested in the more techy parts of the World's Last Seagoing Paddle Steamer then take a look at this thread

Waverley Tech Stuff


Gav

[Thomas Hypher]

And you can see from the gap between the wake why she doesn't steer well at slow speed!!!



If you haven't already done this and are interested in the more techy parts of the World's Last Seagoing Paddle Steamer then take a look at this thread

Waverley Tech Stuff


Gav

I'm not surprised by the low speed handling other than surely using the paddle wheels at low speed makes her quite manoeuvrable, instead of her rudder, given their traction? I will take a look at the thread 

[Clydebuilt1971]

I'm not surprised by the low speed handling other than surely using the paddle wheels at low speed makes her quite manoeuvrable, instead of her rudder, given their traction? I will take a look at the thread 

Hi Thomas,

Her wheels are fixed on either end of the main engine crankshaft - ie they cant rotate in opposite directions. This apparently was a requirement of commercial side wheel paddlers after a tug was sunk due to being girted by its tow whilst turning sharply. (I think that's the reason anyway)

Naval paddle tugs were still allowed to have contra rotating wheels.

Gav

[Lynda Bradford]

Brilliant pictures Gav.  They have been lucky with the good weather this week, so hopefully it has been a good start to the season. 

Pity about the trouble makers onboard the boat last Saturday.  I always think there is two types of passengers - the people up on deck who are enjoying the views, eating their sandwiches and drinking tea/coffee or alcohol in moderation.  Then there is the party crowd!   

The party crowd seem to be onboard on Saturdays, whatever the weather - they usually are in the bar downstairs, then off at Rothesay for more booze.

I am going on the trip from Oban to Coll and back on Monday, which I am looking forward to and yes I will be up on deck enjoying the view and not partying!

[Thomas Hypher]

Hi Thomas,

Her wheels are fixed on either end of the main engine crankshaft - ie they cant rotate in opposite directions. This apparently was a requirement of commercial side wheel paddlers after a tug was sunk due to being girted by its tow whilst turning sharply. (I think that's the reason anyway)

Naval paddle tugs were still allowed to have contra rotating wheels.

Gav

That, as you said, must make manouvering a nightmare sometimes!

[Rob Lightbody]

With the glorious weather Scotland has been getting for weeks now, I would have given anything to be on Waverley this weekend - anything.  But work and family commitments would have stopped me, even if I had planned ahead.  I'll try for next year!

[pete cain]

Gav, thanks for posting these photos, after such a long winter & too short a summer they are a tonic, I find the light 'up there' almost Baltic like, really different, & Waverley well she's just something to behold.
   As for the liking for drink mentioned by Myles, it isn't only a Scottish thing , we suffer it down here also, maybe more a 'Northern thing'
 eh   (share it about a bit)

[Thomas Hypher]

Gav, thanks for posting these photos, after such a long winter & too short a summer they are a tonic, I find the light 'up there' almost Baltic like, really different, & Waverley well she's just something to behold.
   As for the liking for drink mentioned by Myles, it isn't only a Scottish thing , we suffer it down here also, maybe more a 'Northern thing'
 eh   (share it about a bit)

And the notorious "nights out" here on the South Coast! Not to mention our Navy's famous drinking 

[Lynda Bradford]

Staying in Oban and looking forward to the Waverley cruise of the Isles tomorrow. Very warm earlier but a light shower of rain has cooled the air. Beautiful view over Oban Bay.