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MV Balmoral was built in Southampton in 1949 and operated
under the Southampton Red Funnel Fleet for 20 years. She then moved round to the
Bristol Channel where she became the last member of P&A Campbell's famous White
Funnel Fleet. When they ceased operation in 1980, Balmoral moved to Dundee to
become a floating restaurant, and there she stood, unsuccessful & gradually
falling into disrepair, until she was rescued by the friends & supporters of the
PS Waverley.
She returned to service in 1986 and to this day operates her main summer season
in the Bristol Channel, offering day excursions to popular Coastal Resorts, as
well as making visits to other ports & piers throughout the UK in Spring &
Autumn. Coastal cruising, once a great British tradition, remains alive & well
in the care of Waverley Excursions and the operation of the Balmoral and
Waverley.
In Winter 2002, Balmoral was fitted with new engines. The Project was dependent
on nearly £150k being raised through the help of the Public Sector & local
Councils, Supporter Societies and on-board Fund raising Activities which in turn
secured a further £3/4m contribution from the Heritage Lottery Fund. This money
has now been used to replace the engines but has also helped carry out
additional improvements to enhance passenger comfort. For more detailed
information on the Balmoral, please visit the supporters website at
www.pswaverley.org.
M.V. Balmoral
is a classic passenger ship and sails around
the coasts of England, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland and the Isle of Man
every year. She is inspected annually by the British Martime and Coastguard
Agency and is certificated for up to 800 passengers. She is equipped with heated
lounges, dining saloon, licensed bars and has a large open deck.
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