ISLAND PRINCESS heading up-river………

[Allan]

Anyone know why she left JWD around lunch-time and headed towards Glasgow?

Annoyingly, her AIS was switched off around 1500hrs when she was approaching the Cart estuary, so don’t know where she ended up……….

Given her previous record on the Kilgreggan/Gourock route, would have thought they would want her back in service asap.

Any info would be much appreciated........

[riverman]

Not sure if it is mechanical issues Allan, she has been a bit of a nightmare for the people on the peninsula especially the Coulport and Faslane workers what with breakdowns and other issues. Clyde Marine are taking over the contract in July probably with Chieftain (ex Seabus) and they are trying to get her in before then.

[Allan]

Finally worked out where she went – would seem she spent the last few days at Rothesay Dock from where she departed this morning at 0800hrs BST and headed back to JWD, arriving around 1045hrs BST.

Just leaves the question – why?

[Allan]

Looks like CHIEFTAIN was in Rothesay Dock at the same time as ISLAND PRINCESS…….she’s currently heading downriver, having departed 1100hrs BST.

As Paul rightly points out above, CHIEFTAIN will take over the Kilgreggan/Gourock run – maybe they were having a wee hand-over party…………

[riverman]

Following a series of disruptions SPT has notified the current contractor, Clydelink Ltd., that their last sailing will be on Sat. 12th. May 2018.
Clyde Marine Services of Greenock will resume operation from Mon. 14th. May 2018. The timetable of the service remains unchanged.

[riverman]

No sign of the Island Princess yesterday or today for her last sailing, she seems to have disappeared into the blue yonder like the 'Flying Dutchman'. I wanted to say my farewells this evening but it was not to be. ClydeMarine's CHIEFTAIN should be taking over on Monday.

[Allan]

Yes, odd situation – would have thought Clydelink Ltd would have been anxious to fulfil their obligations up to the (revised) end of their contract, but apparently not. According to Marine Traffic, the last recorded location of ISLAND PRINCESS was at 1836hrs on Friday 10th May, heading up-river and approaching Port Glasgow.

[Gerry Ward]

Shambles from SPT,they gave no thought to the people of Kilcreggan, and now they have been forced to cancel the contract they have the audacity to dramatically increase their fares.

Gerry

[BerthA]

SPT do not have the buckets of money to lavish over ferry services that the Scottish Govt. evidently has - affordability for the public purse or affordability for the actual user seems to present a different approach from both bodies. It would be interesting to see what fare formula was to be used if the service is taken over by the Scottish Govt. (which should perhaps be the case).

[Allan]

Looks like CHIEFTAIN was having a "trial run" today, pending her inauguration into the Gourock/Kilgreggan run tomorrow -

Departed Victoria harbour approx. 1000hrs this morning, arrived Gourock approx. 1035hrs, departed Gourock 1100hrs, arrived Victoria Harbour 1130hrs. (Dummy run?)

Departed Victoria Harbour 1300hrs, arrived Kilgreggan 1330hrs – departed therefrom 1335hrs, arrived Gourock 1400hrs - departed Gourock 1445hrs, arrived Victoria Harbour 1510hrs.

Essentially, one sailing from Kilgreggan to Gourock today.

[riverman]

Clydemarine's CHIEFTAIN on her first crossing from Gourock to Kilcreggan and back this morning.

[riverman]

Alongside Kilcreggan.

[riverman]

Departing Kilcreggan.

[riverman]

Second run Gourock/Kilcreggan with the happy workers.

[Gerry Ward]

Good to see.I haven't been to Kilcreggan by ferry since I was stranded by Island Princess a few years back!

I see there is folk standing on the upstairs deck,thats new.

Gerry

[riverman]

New seating on the top deck now for passengers, she looks a bit like one of them fancy cruise ships that come in.
I heard the Island Princess was at Renfrew and up for sale but has not been confirmed.

[riverman]

The former Gourock/Kilcreggan ferry ISLAND PRINCESS at Renfrew presumably up for sale.