The crowd cheered at a packed Ferguson shipyard yesterday, as newly qualified welder Beth Atkinson named and launched the ship.
At 3,000 tonnes and 102 metres long, the vessel slid gracefully down the slipway.
High winds led to a short delay during the speeches until the river pilot and waiting tugs confirmed it was safe to proceed.
MÃ iri McAllan MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Wellbeing Economy, Net Zero and Energy spoke from the heart without notes in her keynote speech, praising the workforce and the many partners who worked so hard to ensure this important addition to the CalMac fleet was built.
The MV Glen Rosa is the second of two ferries built by the nationalised shipyard, the other being its sister ship, the MV Glen Sannox, now completing its sea trials before being delivered into service.
Both will serve Arran, initially from Troon until Ardrossan Harbour is redeveloped. Each vessel can carry 852 passengers and 127 cars.
The MV Glen Rosa will now be fitted out at the quayside before its own sea trials and delivery into service next year.
Together, both ‘Glens’ are the first liquefied natural gas (LNG) dual-fuel ships ever built in the UK and can switch between LNG and marine diesel.
At the event, it was good to also chat to Andrew Miller, Chair of Ferguson’s board, Executive Director Jim Gibson, CMAL Chief Executive Kevin Hobbs, Interim CalMac Ferries CEO Duncan Mackison, Isle of Arran Ferry Committee Secretary Bill Calderwood and many others.
I look forward to sailing to and from Arran on both vessels in the months ahead.
