Waverley row isn’t ship shape
Boat bosses failing customers
give similar cash grants – the good ship Waverley would be dead in the water.
This is also the final year of South Ayrshire’s three year deal.
And it will be interesting to see what happens if WEL’s scurvy crew come back with the Waverley begging bowl next year.
Exactly why the Waverley is so reluctant to enter South Ayrshire territorial waters is another maritime mystery that needs further investigation.
The scuttle buck amongst the old sea dogs I talk to is that the Waverley saves money by missing out Ayr and bussing its customers elsewhere.
But it’s Waverley’s claim that “weather problems” are to blame.
Well, I don’t recall similar climate issues with the same ship in previous decades.
So either the Clyde’s conditions have worsened dramatically in recent years – or Waverley have introduced new safety guidelines on cruising...
“If the wind is strong enough to flap a fish supper wrapper in Largs – it’s too dangerous to sail to Ayr”.
The latest spat has Waverley saying one thing – and Ayr’s harbourmaster saying the opposite.
My money’s on the harbourmaster – and perhaps the Ports Authority have transcripts of harbour/ Waverley communications to back him up?
South Ayrshire needs all the boosts to tourism it can get.
And Waverley has given good service – and provided happy memories – to hundreds of thousands of visitors over the years.
But failing its customers – on a systematic basis – is an ill wind that blows no- one any good.