Paddle Steamer Waverley - merged posts

[whole diary]

[ChrisB]

Serious profit being made per trip then!

[grahame]

An estimated £20,000 penalty in terms of fuel costs but will hopefully rescue a lot of bookings.

Mark

Serious profit being made per trip then!

With a capacity of 650 passengers (is that current?), on some days multiple loading, and fares often over £50 per person, the £20,000 is less than a good day's income.  Profit?  Don't know - would think not; Waverley is expensive to run and maintain.  Serious turnover - yes!

[grahame]

See the Bridlington Echo where a scrambled silly O'Clock trip was made on the Yorkshire Belle to see and photograph Waverley.  "Anyone who wants, come to the quayside at 04:00" on my Facebook feed yesterday!

Some more nice pics ...

[ChrisB]

And some incorrect journalism yet again....

She was passing by the coats as part of one of her trips around town country’s coastline.

[Mark A]

Her 'Past Track' as shown on the Marine Traffic web site is curious. Across the Thames Estuary, down the inside of the Goodwins, and at Dover a 180 to return and head up the Thames. Stopped offshore at Westgate on sea, drifted about a bit before heading back out and then turning and making for Tilbury. She's now off again and heading past the Isle of Sheppey.

Mark

**Edit** Ah, she was offshore at Westgate from around 2am till 9, and alongside at Tilbury for a couple of hours from about 1pm the next day.

[grahame]

She bunkered at Dundee and then Tilbury on the way round after a setback against the weather as she headed past the straights of Dover (probably was getting low on fuel).  From Ayr to the South Coast the long way round - hoping to make Dartmouth.

[bradshaw]

Update on Waverley website (https://waverleyexcursions.co.uk/)

  Waverley is currently re-positioning from the Clyde to the South West but owning to swell conditions off Land’s End has been delayed by steaming round the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) via the east coast. She has out into the Thames estuary she shelter and is expected to continue her passage on Friday afternoon but will not reach Plymouth in time to carry out the sailing. Given the forecast weather and swell conditions around Torbay on Saturday afternoon Waverley’s cruises from Torquay have had to be cancelled.
We are now planning to sail Waverley directly to Dartmouth allowing her to offer the evening cruise as planned.

[grahame]

Waverley is now doing her Thames Estuary cruises ... paddle box problems at the end of last week saw her docked in Chatham and once fixed having to wait for the tide to get out.  I have a particular fondness for the old girl and have just booked a trip across the Thames for next Saturday (11.10.2025) on the last weekend of her visit to the South East - Southend to Whitstable, out from Melksham at 08:02, back at 21:34, Plan B in place, kebab shop as I walk back up from the station to home.   

I have emotional connections / memories of Waverley even from her pre-preservation days but then since then too - mum's last major outing before she passed was a cruise that included the Pool of London and passing under Tower Bridge, for prime example.  Not a cheap day out; I am not promoting this particular Saturday trip on my Melksham pages, but would be happy enough to see / bump into / travel part the way with any forum friends; you know already that you need to be robust enough to handle transport changes along the way!

[grahame]

From the Waverley crew on Facebook

WAVERLEY COMPLETES HER FIRST SEASONAL CIRCUMNAVIGATION OF GREAT BRITAIN IN OVER 40 YEARS!

Waverley has just crossed the finishing line as she proudly steams up the Firth of Clyde this evening, marking the completion of her clockwise tour round Great Britain.

Just over 7 weeks ago Waverley's epic repositioning voyage from Ayr to the South West began, much to the surprise of all those who closely monitor her adventures away from the Firth of Clyde.
This evening she has passed abeam of Ayr on the final leg of her journey from London to Glasgow. Waverley first circumnavigated Great Britain in 1981, just 6 years into her preservation career, and did so for three seasons in the 1980s.

Since then, trips round the north and along the east coast have been rare. The decision to sail over 1,200 nautical miles from Ayr to Dartmouth via the east coast back in August this year was taken due to swell conditions off Land's End which did not show signs of abating.

The choice was either to be storm bound and be certain of missing many sailings or take her full circle and achieve some success in the South West and the opening week of the South Coast programme. Since late August Waverley has sailed the South Coast and Thames Estuary offering thousands of passengers the opportunity to step aboard.

Following the final sailing on the Thames on Sunday 12th October Waverley set her course for home. In the early hours of Monday morning she departed Gravesend and steamed round the South East of England.

After refuelling at Weymouth she rounded Land's End and continued her journey north. Given the good weather conditions and calm seas, she didn't rush but instead has paddled home at a leisurely and more fuel efficient speed - a sharp contrast to the journey south which saw over 35,000 litres of extra fuel required. The video in this post shows Waverley's final transit under Tower Bridge at the start of the 800 nautical mile journey from London to Glasgow.
 
Now, as Waverley returns to the Clyde we’re celebrating another truly remarkable season. It’s been one filled with unforgettable cruises, special moments, and the pure joy of seeing our national treasure welcomed in every port and pier she has visited.
 
The weather has at times forced changes to the sailing programme but despite that, and the odd operational challenge, the ship has recorded well over 150,000 passenger journeys this season so far.

This weekend marks the finale of Waverley’s 2025 season with sailings on Saturday 18th and Sunday 19th October - we invite you to join us in welcoming her home in style.

Saturday 18th October - Step aboard at Glasgow (1000), Greenock (1145), Kilcreggan (1215) or Dunoon (1245) to cruise up the spectacular fjord-like Loch Long to Arrochar for a brief photocall at Ardnagal Pier.

Sunday 19th October – Step aboard at Glasgow (0930), Greenock (1115), Rothesay (1250) or Largs (1340) to cruise round Bute viewing Garroch Head, Inchmarnock and the stunning Kyles of Bute. On this cruise Waverley will also make a brief call at Tighnabruaich from 1530 until 1620.

[grahame]

From the Greenock Telegraph

Waverley Excursions Limited (WEL) say a total of 161,950 passenger journeys were recorded over 123 operating days this year - the largest total since 1996.

The figure was revealed after the historic ship's final cruise of the year on Sunday, October 19.

And WEL have already revealed details of at least some of the work that will be carried out on the vessel over the coming months - as well as a start date for her 2026 cruising season.