Words and photos: Hugh Dougherty SOS call for a chief engineer!
WAVERLEY Excursions general manager Paul Semple has put out an urgent SOS appeal for a new chief engineer on PS Waverley.
The world’s last seagoing paddle steamer will mark the 75th anniversary of its first voyage in June this year.
But Paul stressed: “We need a new chief engineer urgently or else the ship won’t sail this year.”
He explained: “We’ve been running adverts to fill the post and have been using several specialist recruitment agencies since November last year and although a few candidates have applied, none has been suitable.
“The problem is that we need a seagoing engineer with a steam ticket and an engineer with that essential qualification is proving harder and harder to find. It’s as simple as this: either we find a new chief engineer, or Waverley won’t be able to sail.”
The revelation comes as Paul draws up the timetable for the 2022 season, which should see the iconic steamer sailing from the end of May until the end of September, mainly on the Clyde but including visits to Liverpool, North Wales, the Bristol Channel, the Thames and south coast piers.
Winter maintenance is currently ongoing at Waverley’s Glasgow berth, with decking plank replacement, low pressure cylinder overhaul and inspection, replacement of lifeexpired catering equipment, capstan overhaul, bench sanding and hull plate inspections in full swing. The ship will also be dry-docked at Greenock in April.
“Despite all this work going ahead to schedule in anticipation that we will be able to sail, not just to recreate Waverley’s first voyage to Arrochar, 75 years on, but to enjoy a much fuller sailing season than last year, especially beyond the Clyde, we are still concerned that we have not yet appointed a chief engineer and the clock is ticking.
“If any readers know of a qualified, seagoing engineer with a steam ticket, or if they think they themselves would like to be considered for this key post, please email us at info@ waverleyexcursions.co.uk,” said Paul.