PS WAVERLEY 2017

Post by **alasdairmac** » Mon Aug 07, 2017 5:12 pm

Looks like today's sailing was cancelled - she hadn't moved from Pacific Quay all day although tomorrow's trip to Arran is still being advertised on her website.

I was on board on Friday and we were 15 mins late leaving Glasgow due to a generator fault, and then another 15 minutes was lost at Kilcreggan due to another generator issue. What is going wrong with the state of this ship? How is this never ending list of failures happening?

After the slagging she got in the Herald last week over the way the earlier cancellations were handled- lack of notifications etc - this is not good news.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Post by **alasdairmac** » Tue Aug 08, 2017 10:48 am

From bad to worse The website is still advertising today's sail leaving Ayr at 10am and Waverley is still (10:50) at Pacific Quay. Customer service is clearly and unknown concept to Waverley Excursions. This is nothing short of suicidal

PS Look like they are starting off at Largs now with a bus up from Ayr. The Auld Tub is on her way downriver now.

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:29 pm

PS Waverley gives Helensburgh a miss today after two attempts at the pier in blustery conditions.

: HELLO

: GOOD CROWD WAITING

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:34 pm

Approaching for a second time.

: HELLO AGAIN

: PASSING BYE

: GOODBYE AGAIN

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Sat Aug 19, 2017 6:37 pm

Ah well there's always another day.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 7:08 pm

Looks like PS WAVERLEY had an altercation with the promenade at Rothesay today. Fortunately there are no reports of any injuries to passengers.

https://stv.tv/news/west-central/139645 ... -on-board/

This report refers to the pier, but looking at the video I reckon it’s the promenade. The ship is still at Rothesay – all weekend sailings have been cancelled.

This was her last weekend in Scotland, before embarking on her voyages to Liverpool and North Wales, then the Bristol Channel, then the South Coast, finally the Thames. Reports refer to “minor damage” – sincerely hope so, otherwise the financial implications of not fulfilling most if not all of these commitments could be very serious.

tomdunlop · Post by **tomdunlop** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 7:35 pm

I was aboard today. She made her usual bow first manoeuvre round the end of the pier but when we expected her to go astern she went ahead. Her speed was slow and the port forward rope was wrapped round the port wheel restricting her movement. I cant be sure if the events were human or mechanical failure but there were no injuries, no panic and the boozy party in the Jeanie Deans lounge did not spill a drop. Waverley hit the slip on the esplanade. Events could have been a lot worse had the tide been low but we docked quickly and went home via Calmac, Scotrail, McGills, Argyll Flyer and Island Princess.
The damage was about 3 feet above the water line and bent the stem to starboard. There was no ingress of water. She will need some in dry dock to straighten her nose and hopefully get back to sailing next week.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 7:51 pm

Thanks for posting Tom– gives a very good on-the-spot summary of events, corroborates no injuries which is great, also the fact that all passengers have been “ferried” home.

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:07 pm

Good that there were no injuries, as said before it could have been worse, lucky it was not a wooden pier or it would have been a lot worse.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Aug 25, 2017 9:08 pm

From the video, noted there are remnants of rope hanging from the port forward rope loop – is this the end of the hand-rope thrown from port-side on approach?

No way suggesting this is a cause of the incident, simply making an observation, because the forward motion of the ship would probably have broken the rope anyway.

duncanwilson · Post by **duncanwilson** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 10:05 am

The Herald, this morning, reports that "Passengers were asked to disembark while an assessment of the damage was made".
At no time were we actually asked to disembark. Many of us remained on board until the next ferry appeared round the bay.
I was standing near the stern so I didn't see what happened. We moved round the knuckle of the pier. I thought we were moving forward a bit faster than usual and getting a bit too close to the promenade, then we hit, what I thought was the promenade wall.

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 11:27 am

Waverley departed Rothesay this morning and now alongside CHQ, Greenock at 11.15 hrs. Cruise ship Mein Schiff 4 gives her a smile and a wink as she passes the container terminal.

Post by **alasdairmac** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 7:03 pm

She entered the Garvel mid- afternoon today. With a bit of luck (and some double time for the welders) she might make it out in time to steam south to Liverpool on Monday. Fingers crossed - she needs to lose more revenue like she needs another hole in the hull !

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Sun Aug 27, 2017 5:12 pm

Waverley Website advising that sailings from Liverpool and Llandudno (Tuesday and Wednesday this week) have been cancelled, citing insufficient time to complete repairs.

Let’s hope it’s only these two days that are affected.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Mon Aug 28, 2017 9:42 pm

Bristol Channel sailings now cancelled as well - another five days lost.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Sep 01, 2017 1:11 pm

Good news - Repair work is now expected to be completed in time to allow PS WAVERLEY to resume sailings from Friday 8 September.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Mon Sep 04, 2017 12:27 pm

PS WAVERLEY currently moored at CHQ, having left dry-dock earlier this morning.

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Mon Sep 04, 2017 4:27 pm

Waverley alongside CHQ as Allan mentioned taken from Helensburgh. Shouldn't be long for the off to Southampton.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 10:15 am

Still berthed at CHQ this morning, but now showing a destination of Weymouth...........

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Tue Sep 05, 2017 4:24 pm

Departed CHQ at 1600hrs BST, heading for the South Coast..........

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 10:07 am

Having crossed the Dublin/Anglesey line around 0600hrs BST this morning, PS WAVERLEY is well on her way to Weymouth. – ETA showing as 0700hrs tomorrow.

Her speed going down the Firth of Clyde yesterday of 14/15 knots reduced to around 11.5 knots by the time she passed Ailsa Craig. However, reckon she has maintained that as an average speed up to now, currently making 11 knots.

Weather-wise, yesterday evening she was experiencing 12 knot north-westerlies - current winds are westerly, 7 knots.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 7:02 pm

PS WAVERLEY currently 55 miles west of Bude in Cornwall.

Since last post, she has marginally increased speed, probably averaging around 12.5 knots although currently showing at 11.3 knots.

Winds in the area have veered back to north-westerlies, 16 knots – this to continue for the next six hours or so.

Given her current speed, reckon she should “round the corner” around 2330hrs BST tonight.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 9:40 pm

Perhaps nearer 2300hrs (BST) to "round the corner"?....

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Wed Sep 06, 2017 11:38 pm

As of 2321hrs - course 181 degrees
2325hrs - 137 degrees
2327hrs - 126 degrees
2331hrs - 97 degrees

Round the corner - Ah'm gaun' tae ma bed........

(ETA Weymouth moved on to 1300hrs tomorrow)

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 12:21 pm

Safely moored in Weymouth Harbour, arrived there 1100hrs this morning.

Let's hope for a trouble-free and financially successful few weeks' sailings on the South Coast and on the Thames, then Haste Ye Back!

Colin Campbell · Post by **Colin Campbell** » Thu Sep 07, 2017 2:30 pm

H

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 9:58 am

First sailing from Weymouth cancelled today due to weather conditions. Wind WSW 23knots.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Sep 08, 2017 10:08 pm

Tonight, en route from Weymouth to Southampton, Marine Traffic indicates a speed at one point of 18.5 knots, as she rounds the north-east corner of the Isle of Wight?

Every confidence in PS WAVERLEY, westerly winds at 23 knots no doubt helping but.... is that a technical clitch?

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu Sep 21, 2017 11:38 pm

After what appears to have been a full day’s cruising, PS WAVERLEY departed Portsmouth at 2019hrs tonight.

Destination is showing as Whitstable in Kent, ETA 1230hrs tomorrow.

Currently passing Eastbourne making a healthy 16 knots, winds in the area are north-westerly, 12-14 knots.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Sep 22, 2017 9:42 am

Dropped anchor around 0630hrs BST this morning, 1.5 mile off-shore, 10 miles east of Whitstable.

Destination now changed from Whitstable to London Anchorage.

Hope all is well............

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Sep 22, 2017 12:08 pm

Weighed anchor around 1115hrs BST, now heading for Whitstable at 14.8 knots - first cruise from there

leaves at 1430hrs, Waverley website indicating this is a sell-out cruise.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 1:57 pm

PS WAVERLEY not hanging about, obviously keen to “come home” – departed Gravesend on the Thames at 0130hrs this morning, destination Weymouth ETA 1800hrs tonight.

Currently passing the Isle of Wight, making 14 knots.

Post by **alasdairmac** » Mon Oct 09, 2017 2:37 pm

Just had a wee look at that too on AIS. Hope the weather holds for the run home, and for this weekend.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Tue Oct 10, 2017 11:34 am

Looks like PS WAVERLEY “not going out” today – still showing as alongside at Weymouth.

Given the current weather conditions in the area of 20-knot SW winds, increasing to 25 knots by tomorrow, seems unlikely she will depart Weymouth any time soon.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Wed Oct 11, 2017 10:20 am

As anticipated, PS WAVERLEY remains in Weymouth this morning.

Winds today forecasted up to 24 knots, south-westerly. Tomorrow they become westerly, dropping to 15 knots, so would like to think she could possibly start the homeward leg in the early hours of Thursday.

Problem is if she is to fulfil her schedule for the final week-end of her year, and given that her outward journey from CHQ to Weymouth took around 43 hours, she really does need to set off as soon as it is deemed safe to do so.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu Oct 12, 2017 12:10 am

PS WAVERLEY departed Weymouth tonight at 2133hrs, ETA Glasgow 1900hrs Friday.

Currently about 25 miles out of Weymouth and making 9.5 knots heading almost due west, she is facing 18 knot headwinds, although they are forecast to ease to around 13/14 knots by dawn tomorrow.

Further updates in the morning, meanwhile wishing her a safe journey home.

Post by **alasdairmac** » Thu Oct 12, 2017 8:57 am

She's just off the Lizard right now, doing around 12 knots with an average of just about the same since leaving Weymouth last night. Hopefully she'll get the wind behind her and be able to add a couple of knots to that when she turns the corner into the Irish Sea, although there are force 8 SWs forecast for the Irish Sea later today which could mean she has to run for shelter again. Fingers crossed she can still be home by Friday evening.

And, as a wee bonus for us intending passengers - the weather forecast for this weekend is showing a slight improvement so here's hoping.......

PS Just checked again on AIS (she is off Porthcurno making 12.5 knots and just about to turn the corner) and noticed that she is giving her eta in Glasgow as 19:00 on Saturday 14th, not Friday 13th as expected. Mistake, or are they planning for a lay-over somewhere en route to ride out the forecast gales?

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu Oct 12, 2017 12:29 pm

A wee update – PS WAVERLEY “turned the corner” just over an hour ago.

Current position is about 18 miles due west of St Ives, heading 358 degrees and making 12.5 knots. Wind is 14-knot south-westerly.

Regarding ETA Glasgow, their website is still inviting bookings for Saturday sailings – mind you, that could change anytime…..

Post by **alasdairmac** » Thu Oct 12, 2017 3:49 pm

Hope I'm wrong, but on 015º she looks to be on course for Milford Haven.

Update at 17:05 ; maybe not as there's been some "left hand down a bit" to 008º and looking like she'll pass close abeam St David's.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu Oct 12, 2017 8:43 pm

Soldiering on, currently 8 miles west of St David’s and making 8.6 knots.

Winds are currently 24 knots south-westerly – the fact that these are tail-winds probably helps rather than hinders her progress; however the sea-state could be a factor to be considered.
Overnight, winds are forecasted to increase to 28 knots by dawn in the main channel – 23/24 knots if they choose to hug the Cardigan Bay coastline. Her movement in the next half-hour may indicate the choice.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu Oct 12, 2017 9:02 pm

Okay, within the last 15 minutes her course has change from due north to north-west – appears to be following the coastline.

However, opens the question of an over-night stay in Fishguard?

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Thu Oct 12, 2017 9:15 pm

She certainly appears to be headed that way at 21.15

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu Oct 12, 2017 10:12 pm

Last recorded on Marine Traffic – 21 minutes ago (AIS switched off?) - heading 79 degrees, appears to be heading for Fishguard.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Thu Oct 12, 2017 10:41 pm

Okay, AIS now off for 50 minutes, making the presumption that she is moored in Fishguard - tomorrow is another day.

Post by **alasdairmac** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 4:36 am

There's an AIS "blind spot" in the south of Cardigan Bay Allan - vessels close inshore disappear just SW of Fishguard (where Waverley's last position is shown) but reappear further north. She's maybe in the blind spot if she's hugging the coastline.

riverman · Post by **riverman** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 8:18 am

Waverley must have her AIS switched off for some reason, the Rosslare ferries Isle of Inishmore and Stena Europe show up OK. Had the Stena Europe alongside Fishguard yesterday.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 9:39 am

Thanks for the info re Cardigan Bay Alasdair, wasn’t aware of it.

However, can advise that the Waverley website is now advising that Saturday’s cruise will not operate “as the ship has not been able to reposition in time due to weather conditions”.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Fri Oct 13, 2017 10:59 am

Waverley website now putting up a caveat for Sunday –

Please note the Captain is watching the weather forecast and passengers should check sailing status before travelling.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 7:37 pm

PS WAVERLEY departed Fishguard this morning around 0800hrs BST, destination Bangor (NI) ETA 22.45hrs tonight. Average speed so far is around 12 knots.

Needless to say, WEL website advises tomorrow’s sailings are cancelled.

Allan · Post by **Allan** » Sat Oct 14, 2017 7:56 pm

Had a look at the weather forecast - don't see her moving out of Bangor until at least mid/late-afternoon tomorrow - 25/26 knot southerly winds will dominate before that.

Hopefully the weather window will remain open long enough for her to complete the (approx.) 110 nautical miles back to the Science Centre - at 12 knots would take around 9 hours.

Login

Please support ClydeMaritime by clicking on some of our adverts

Who is online