On Friday 12th February 2021, PSPS successfully held their first online presentation on the Society YouTube Channel. Over 880 people tuned in live for the presentation. This made it one of, if not the highest attended PSPS meetings on record.

Titled “Waverley – Achieving 2020 and Beyond”, the excellent presentation is available on YouTube for all to enjoy. The video is two hours in length and has been fully subtitled for anyone who may require it. Simply click on the or button at the bottom right of the YouTube player to display the subtitles/closed captions.

Introduced by Scottish Branch Chairman Murray Paterson, previous PSPS Chairman and current Waverley Excursions General Manager, Paul Semple, delighted all those that attended to a wonderful presentation on Waverley. Paul gave an incredible insight into both the boiler refit and the challenges of sailing in 2020.

Waverley’s starboard boiler, installed in 2000, is removed during the boiler refit in January 2020.

The boiler room pictured during Waverley’s dry docking in March 2020. One of three new diesel alternators can be seen having been lowered on its foundations.

From funnels that Waverley didn’t want to let go of to cubicle-less toilets, Paul left no detail out from the refit.

The first smoke from the new starboard boiler rises from the forward funnel. The smoke was only visible during the initial firing.

Waverley’s main engine pictured during the current winter refit period. The connecting rod can be seen disconnected on the MP part of the engine which is undergoing survey.

Following the presentation section of the evening, a rare opportunity was offered for members of the public to put questions to Waverley’s General Manager by email. Numerous questions that had been on people’s minds were put to rest by Paul.

Paul stands in the refitted Boiler Room.

The presentation went without a hitch and was enjoyed by all who attended.

Our thanks once again to Paul Semple for a most enjoyable and informative presentation. Our thanks also to Allan Smith for all things technical, including the subtitles.

Hopefully many members and future members will join us again for the Society’s second online presentation on Saturday 6th March where Peter Lamb will give his talk titled “Punching The Tide. The perils and pleasures of operating passenger boats from an exposed seaside pier in the twenty first century”.

Stay tuned for the link to the next presentation.