The Waverley paddle steamer will not sail this summer, and its operators say she won’t carry passengers Doon the Watter again until money is found for major repairs.
Engineers have been working on the 73-year-old ship’s boilers since February, trying to get her ready for her programme of summer sailings on the Clyde .
But her operators have now withdrawn her from service for 2019 – and announced that the boilers must be replaced if she is to sail again in 2020.
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Waverley Excursions general manager Paul Semple said: “The whole team is deeply disappointed that we are unable to repair the boilers and operate this season.
“I know the fondness the public have for Waverley and I know this will be disappointing for the tens of thousands of passengers who would have sailed with us this year.”
The charity which owns the Waverley will launch an appeal to raise the “significant" funds needed for the repairs.
Paul said: “More than ever, we need support to preserve this iconic vessel.”
