The ferry from Dunoon to Gourock on the River Clyde - she is called Ali Cat
MV Ali Cat was built in 2000 for Solent & Wightline Cruises, who chartered her to Red Funnel Line. They in turn chartered her to Caledonian MacBrayne for the Dunoon to Gourock service. She entered service on 21 October 2002 to run at peak times, carrying up to 250 passengers.[1] The run had previously been served at peak times by two car ferries, one of which went down the Firth of Clyde at quieter times to assist on the Rothesay to Wemyss Bay service which only had a 90 minute service at peak times. Introduction of the Ali Cat for the winter 2002-03 timetable met morning and evening commuter demand on the Dunoon run, releasing the peak period car ferry to improve the Rothesay service. At first the catamaran had occasional difficulties with winter weather making embarking at Dunoon hazardous and leading to cancellations. The service was subsequently extended to cover summer timetables, and construction of a breakwater in 2004 overcame the problems at Dunoon pier.[2] From 30 June 2011, the Dunoon to Gourock crossing became a passenger-only service operated by Argyll Ferries Ltd (a sister company to Caledonian MacBrayne). Ali Cat is expected to be purchased outright and to continue to ply the route.
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Photo credit: © islandtapestry / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: ali, cat, cloch, clyde, estuary, ferry, ferryboat, firth, lighthouse, pedestrian, river, sailing
