River Clyde commuter service starts
April 20, 2011 by Grace Franklin · Leave a Comment
Skipper Paul Malone, apprentice Scott Cairns and MD Mark Aikman aboard M.V. Silver Swan at the Broomielaw
A commuter waterbus service brings back a boat to the River Clyde in Glasgow on a regular daily basis.
In time for Easter, the Motor Vessel Silver Swan, will ply the River from Yoker to Braehead to the Science Centre to the Broomielaw pontoon behind the casino. Purpose built for Clydelink, the little launch and the sister ship MV Island Trader which serves the Yoker crossing exclusively, are part of a quarter million pound investment in the future of the River by Silvers Marine of Roseneath.
Said Managing Director Mark Aikman: ‘I have a passion for boats on the River and believe where there is more traffic, more people will use the river and that makes good business sense.’
Clydelink was formed last year with only three days notice to fill the gap left by SPTon the closure of the Renfrew ferry link. ‘We’ve carried 100.000 passengers and made a small profit there,’ declared Mark. ‘We have two more vessels in the pipeline and they will be ready soon.’
The new service to the heart of Glasgow has enabled the company to take on two apprentices. Said Scott Cairns (22) who is one of them: ‘I’ve always wanted to do this. It’s brilliant I’m getting this chance.’ His skipper Paul Malone (22) added: ‘Now people can see what they’ve been missing.’
The solitary ship, M.V. Silver Swan, on the River Clyde
