Saturday past was the last official work party of the Winter. The ship is currently in Garvel Drydock, Greenock receiving her annual overhaul and survey which will result in the renewing of her passenger certificate for another year.
The recommissioning of her boilers continues apace and the current date for coming out of Garvel is Tuesday 26th May.
Works undertaken by our dedicated group of volunteers (unfortunately not all in the photo) on Saturday varied from Portable Appliance Testing, Painting of the deckhead underneath the bridge wings and after boat deck, cleaning and polishing that masterpiece that is the Main Engine through to rebuilding the Ladies Toilets after new screed and lino was installed.
These works further emphasise the contribution of volunteers - to have all those tasks and the others completed throughout the winter - undertaken by sub contractors would have cost an absolute fortune which in these difficult economic times is just not viable to companies such as Waverley Steam Navigation and Kingswear Castle.
All that remains is to thank our volunteers one and all for their unwavering enthusiasm and committment to keeping ALL our ships sailing.
The photo above was taken by Waverley's legendary purser Jim McFadzean at afternoon teabreak last Saturday.
Heres to Season 2009 - may it be all we wish for and more!!
See you aboard.
Gavin Stewart
Vice Chairman - Scottish Branch
