PS Waverley - Taken out of service requiring new boilers (May 2019)

[Rob Lightbody]

***WAVERLEY WITHDRAWN FROM SERVICE***

It is with deep regret we must inform our loyal customers and supporters that Waverley has been withdrawn from service.

Waverley Excursions Ltd General Manager, Paul Semple has made the following statement.

“Today I have to announce that following extensive efforts to repair Waverley’s boilers we have reached the conclusion that we must stop repairs. We now know that to give Waverley a future she will need new boilers.

The challenge ahead is significant and unlike previous challenges the ship has faced in the last 45 years through her preservation. I am personally appealing to anyone that wants to see this historic ship sail again. I know first-hand the fondness that the general public have for Waverley and I know this news will be upsetting. However, Waverley can sail again if we can raise the funds required to purchase and install new boilers.

The Registered Charity which owns Waverley will shortly launch an appeal to save the ship and ensure she sails again. The cost of the required works is significant but if every passenger who would have sailed this year donated the cost of their ticket towards our appeal we will return Waverley to steam. More than ever we need support to preserve this iconic vessel as the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world.”

Donations can be made now via our website or by texting STEAM followed by your chosen amount £10 or £20 to 70085.

Please share to help us save Waverley.

https://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/friends-of-waverley/donate/
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[Lynda Bradford]

I donated this afternoon using Text message STEAM to 70085 as per instructions (see above post) . It was easy to do and I was happy to help, but many more people need to donate to save the Waverley and get her back to sailing again. 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

They say in the appeal that if every one who would have sailed with Waverley this year donated the price of the ticket, it would help to get her going again.

I am sure that many of us here would (theoretically) have wanted to sail on her this year... how much would the price of that (theoretical) ticket have been, so that we might participate in supporting her?

For many of us, it is much easier to pay the cost of a theoretical ticket, than it would have been to actually travel to Glasgow to sail on her -- so we might find it easy to help!

[tramscape]

The average adult ticket price is around £ 30

It was advised tonight that the cost of purchasing and installing the new boilers alone would be in the region of £ 2 million

[Rob Lightbody]

Listen to this programme from 50 minutes in.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/m0004r9f

[Lynda Bradford]

There was a suggestion on Twitter that if everyone who had posted on the tweet donated £20 they would have the money required. However the reality is so many people tweet on Twitter or post on Facebook but beyond that they do not act.

Basically even a smaller donation is better than nothing and would be appreciated. 

I hope they post the amount raised on a regular basis so as to keep people involved. 

[Isabelle Prondzynski]

https://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/friends-of-waverley/donate/

This is the "Donate" website. But I have not discovered how they would like people to donate. I thought there would be a link to a credit card donation, or a mention of their bank account, but all you can do there (or at least, all I have discovered there) is a list where you can make a pledge. I am not so interested in making a pledge, I would prefer to donate right away and know that I have done it...

Does anyone have a suggestion for a Forum member not resident in the UK?

[Lynda Bradford]

https://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/friends-of-waverley/donate/

This is the "Donate" website. But I have not discovered how they would like people to donate. I thought there would be a link to a credit card donation, or a mention of their bank account, but all you can do there (or at least, all I have discovered there) is a list where you can make a pledge. I am not so interested in making a pledge, I would prefer to donate right away and know that I have done it...

Does anyone have a suggestion for a Forum member not resident in the UK?

I agree this donation page should have a button so as to have the opportunity to donate from the page. 

 I think the appeal could be handled a bit better and they are loosing opportunities to get funding. 

I donated sending a text to 70085 and  the text message STEAM followed by the amount I wanted to donate.

e.g. STEAM £20
      STEAM £10

or whatever amount you want to donate. 

[Rob Lightbody]

I agree this donation page should have a button so as to have the opportunity to donate from the page. 

 I think the appeal could be handled a bit better and they are loosing opportunities to get funding. 

I donated sending a text to 70085 and  the text message STEAM followed by the amount I wanted to donate.

e.g. STEAM £20
      STEAM £10

or whatever amount you want to donate.

I think the main thing yesterday was they needed to announce that there were going to be no sailings at all this year, to allow everyone to make arrangements (crew/operators/passengers).  While doing that, they had to also appeal for donations.

This is going to take a while - they're saying many months to get the boilers built (after they have the millions raised) so at the moment its only a hope that she'll sail in 2020.

So what I mean is - I think they'll put out more organised appeals etc. in the coming period as they switch from trying to fix her - to trying to save her...

[tramscape]

Hey Rob, are you a director of Waverley Excursions or something, practising all those excuses ?? !!!

Ha Ha Ha

All the best
Gordon

 

[Rob Lightbody]

Hey Rob, are you a director of Waverley Excursions or something, practising all those excuses ?? !!!

Ha Ha Ha

All the best
Gordon

Argh I can't help myself!

They're all wondering why she doesn't make millions of pounds from her £30 tickets!!

[Rob Lightbody]

Hey Rob, are you a director of Waverley Excursions or something, practising all those excuses ?? !!!

Ha Ha Ha

All the best
Gordon

Gordon is referring to a hot debate that is ongoing on Waverley Excursions Facebook page where people are looking for answers such as "where has all the money gone" and "why didn't the boilers last longer" to "didn't you see this coming and save up?" and a number of people saying "her time is over - static attraction" and hte ones saying "feed the hungry/homeless first".

[Rob Lightbody]

https://www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk/friends-of-waverley/donate/

This is the "Donate" website. But I have not discovered how they would like people to donate. I thought there would be a link to a credit card donation, or a mention of their bank account, but all you can do there (or at least, all I have discovered there) is a list where you can make a pledge. I am not so interested in making a pledge, I would prefer to donate right away and know that I have done it...

Does anyone have a suggestion for a Forum member not resident in the UK?

I filled in that form - then clicked Submit - and took me to a payment page where I put a payment through via Paypal.

[Rob Lightbody]

***THANK YOU***

We would like to thank everyone for their support over the past 48 hours since we announced Paddle Steamer Waverley has been withdrawn from service. 😢

Many have already donated which is fantastic. It is heart warming that Waverley is getting such support as we know she is worth fighting for.

We have received many messages offering ideas on fundraising and offers of help which is very much appreciated. Please bear with us as the small team at Waverley prepares the appeal. We now need to get firm costings for the work required as we know supporters will want a clear target.

In the meantime please help us spread the message that the time is NOW to act and SAVE THE WAVERLEY. This ship belongs to the people and everyone who has ever sailed on her has contributed to her success. She has survived many challenges in the past and now needs support or she will never steam again.

Donate online at waverleyexcursions.co.uk or call 0141 243 2224 during office hours.

Text STEAM 20 to 70057 to donate £20.

Every donation will go towards Waverley and help ensure that the last sea-going paddle steamer in the world is not lost.

Please like and share to play your part and help Save the Waverley.

#savethewaverley
#waverleyexcursions
#psps_uk

[Thomas Hypher]

Sad to see this and the resultant comments from some people elsewhere online as Rob and Gordon mention/allude to. Here's hoping Waverley will be back sailing in 2020 and back down here too as part of her sailings.