ship on the 2nd of January, it should have been the 1st but due to the
winds and stormy seas the ship stayed over in the sheltered waters of
Brodick on Hogmanay and didn't fancy coming back to pick up the
relieving officers.
We had a very busy day on the 2nd taking all the good folk and
holidaymakers back to the mainland, indeed the biggest loads I have
ever taken on in Calmac with 108 cars one time. We ran an hour late as
the high spring tides prevented the use of the gangways at both ports
so the foot passengers had to come on board through the vehicle deck
which delays everything.
We then headed up the river to James Watt dock tying up about midnight.
The weather intervened and we lost a day before we could safely go
into the dry dock next door in the Garvel. And we have been here ever
since, this is one photo of the port engine which appears to have been
taken down to its constituent bits as it appears to just be the shell.
I'll take a few more photos about the place to let you see what
appears to be chaos, we are scheduled to be floated out next Wednesday
the 15th to be towed round dead ship to James Watt dock where they
will carry on with the work. I know from experience that it appears
unbelievable that everything will come together and it usually does
but my goodness there is a lot to do.
