Dateline 11 September 2000

Fair weather hit the South Coast and Waverley was able to make all her scheduled sailings on Friday 8th and Saturday 9th. A highlight on Saturday was an encounter with Western Lady off Cowes She is one of the last former 'Fairmile' naval vessels in use and normally sails on excursions from Torquay. She had been chartered by Crosons, the Bournemouth and Poole operator, to come to the Solent for the start of the BT Global Challenge yacht race the following day.

The setting sun catches Waverley's funnels while she lies at Portsmouth Harbour Station Pier.

At Portsmouth the new-to-the-area Wightlink catamaran Fastcat Shanklin had been moved from the Gunwharf to the pontoon moorings off the Station Pier.

We left Portsmouth in the final stages of the sunset. Waverley was showing a good turn of speed, making passage from Sandown to Portsmouth in 55 minutes. She easily overtook the car ferry St Catherine and arrived back at Berth 46 at Southampton 15 minutes early.

On Sunday 10 September Waverley was on a private charter in connection with the Start of the aforesaid yacht race.

Monday saw the annual trip from Worthing, notoriously difficult pier on account of the prevalent swell. However, on this occasion conditions were perfect and 441 passengers joined the paddler. Good exchanges of passengers took place at both Yarmouth and Bournemouth, prior to the scheduled Poole Harbour cruise.

Waverley arrived at Portsmouth, whence Worthing passengers were coached home, just after the sun set over Gosport.

The first sight of the paddler as she appeared from behind the Round Tower.

Passing between the harbour lights - the Queen's Harbour Master's look out can be seen across the mouth.

Approaching the Station Pier, with the masts of HMS Warrior in the background.

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