By Hugh Dougherty
THE world’s only seagoing paddle steamer will fly a special pennant with pride this season, as Paddle Steamer Waverley has been awarded the prestigious status of National Flagship of the Year by National Historic Ships UK.
The body says that the award recognises the breadth and geographic coverage of the iconic paddler’s sailing schedule for 2024, with a record-breaking 70 ports included, while the whole programme is supported by a dedicated marketing strategy and extensive and effective use of social media and print.
Sir Timothy Laurence, patron of Paddle Steamer Waverley and husband of Her Royal Highness Princess Anne, said: “I am delighted that Waverley has been awarded the coveted title of National Flagship 2024. This reflects not only the positive impression she has created around the UK in recent years, but also the economic benefit she creates wherever she goes.”
Waverley Excursions Ltd general manager Paul Semple said: “We were pleased that our economic impact was mentioned by Historic Ships UK, as I am now able to reveal the results of a scientific economic impact study that we had done. It shows that Waverley has an annual £11.6m impact on the UK economy, with £6m in Scotland and £5.6m across the rest of the UK.”
Waverley’s 2024 season stretches from May to October and includes the Clyde, Western Isles, the Northern Ireland port of Warrenpoint, Merseyside, the Bristol Channel, the Thames and the south coast of England. Full details of the programme, which marks Waverley’s 50th year in preservation, are at www.waverleyexcursions.co.uk
