MORE than 40 passengers who had been left stranded after their CalMac ferry broke down were rescued by the world's last sea-worthy paddle steamer.
The PS Waverley, which is touring the UK while celebrating its 80th anniversary, was on the return leg of its Oban and Inner Hebrides trip when it was notified that CalMac's MV Isle of Mull had broken down.
The ferry had been due to pick passengers up from Craignure in Mull, heading to Oban, at 6.40pm on Tuesday.
The firm's smaller ferry, the MV Loch Frisa was not able to accommodate all of the passengers waiting, but the crew of the Waverley was due to pass Craignure at around the same time the ferry was scheduled.
The crew made the decision to offer the Waverley's services to CalMac, calling at Craignure to collect the remaining 42 passengers at around 7pm.
"We were happy to be able to offer this at no cost given the support CalMac has shown towards Waverley over many years," a spokesperson for the Waverley said.
In 2020 CalMac's Caledonian Isles ferry was called in to help return 130 people to the mainland after the Waverley collided with Brodick Pier in Arran.
"At 10pm last night Waverley departed Oban setting course for Falmouth in the South West on the next part of her 2026 sailing programme. She won’t return to Scottish waters until 25th June," the spokesperson added.
One of the passengers on board, Jean Morrison, was full of praise for the Waverley crew, telling West Coast Today: "Congratulations to the captain and crew for helping out. The Dunkirk spirit is alive and well!"
The original PS Waverley, built in 1899, was sunk while assisting in the evacuation of British troops from Dunkirk in the Second World War.
The historic steamer also took part in an RNLI training exercise during the journey, which is its last in Scottish waters until the end of June.
The UK tour will continue to Falmouth in the South West of England, before trips to the Isle of Wight, London, North Wales and the Mersey and Northern Ireland.
A CalMac spokesperson told The National: "MV Isle of Mull had the last two sailings cancelled last night due to a technical issue, and is cancelled for the remainder of today.
"Spare parts are being send from our storage unit in Faulds Park today, once installed, the vessel will carry out sea trials tonight. MV Loch Frisa continues to operate Craignure-Oban."
