MV Bute Facts and Information

The MV Bute is a ferry that operates in the UK, connecting the islands of Bute and Rothesay. It's a popular mode of transportation for locals and tourists alike.

The ferry has a capacity for 598 passengers and 160 cars. This makes it an ideal choice for those who need to transport vehicles.

The MV Bute has a length of 72 meters and a width of 14 meters. This size allows it to navigate through the waters of the Clyde and Firth of Clyde.

It's powered by a 2,700 horsepower engine, which gives it a top speed of 15 knots. This speed ensures a relatively quick journey for passengers.

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MV Bute has a rich history that spans over seven decades. She is the seventh Clyde ship to bear the name Bute.

Built outside the UK, MV Bute was launched in Poland in 2005. She arrived in Gourock on 28 June 2005 and entered service on 11 July of the same year.

MV Bute was not the first Clyde ship to be built outside the UK, however. The MV Suilven was built in 1974, making MV Bute the second Clyde ship to be built abroad.

Before her launch in Poland, MV Bute was preceded by a trio of vehicle vessels ordered in 1951. These vessels, including MV Arran, MV Bute, and MV Cowal, were built by Ailsa Shipbuilding Company in Troon, Scotland.

MV Bute was launched on 28 September 1954, marking the beginning of her 24-year service on the Clyde routes. After 24 years, she was laid up in Greenock's James Watt Dock in late 1978.

MV Bute was eventually sold to Gerasinos Phetouris of Greece in November 1979. She was renamed Med Sun and left the Clyde on 17 June 1980, under tow, for the Adriatic.

Here's a brief summary of MV Bute's history:

MV Bute's design is a testament to its functionality, with a length of 82 metres and a beam of 14.5 metres. It was built in 1997.

The ship's cargo capacity is approximately 2,500 tons, making it an efficient vessel for transporting goods. Its cargo holds are divided into four separate compartments, allowing for flexible loading and unloading.

MV Bute's operations are a result of its well-designed layout, which includes a spacious crew mess and a crew accommodation area.

The layout of MV Bute is quite impressive, with a semi-open car deck that's a whopping 5.1 meters high. This allows for easy loading and unloading of vehicles.

The car deck is also equipped with a starboard vehicle ramp aft, which was a game-changer for loading vehicles at Rothesay pier before it was converted to allow end-loading. This ramp made it easier to load vehicles, especially during low tide.

Passenger accommodation is spread across two levels, with the first level housing forward and aft lounges, a kiosk area, and toilets. This layout provides ample space for passengers to relax and enjoy the views.

The second level is open deck space from the twin funnels to just forward of the bridge, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. The bridge itself sits on a perch above the open deck, giving passengers a clear view of the surrounding waters.

One notable feature of MV Bute is its use of Azimuth thruster units with engine-driven propellers, which made her harder to position at piers than her predecessors with Voith Schneider Propellers. However, this feature made her more manoeuvrable in certain situations.

Here's a summary of MV Bute's deck levels:

MV Bute was built by the Remontowa Group in Gdansk, Poland, the same company that built her sister ship MV Argyle.

The ship was designed to be longer and broader than its predecessors, MV Jupiter, MV Juno, and MV Saturn, making it a significant upgrade in terms of capacity.

Here are some key specifications of MV Bute:

MV Bute features both bow and stern loading, making it a versatile vessel for various operations.

The ferry service to the Isle of Bute is a lifeline for the island's economy and residents. It's a vital connection to the mainland and a key part of the island's charm.

The main ferry service links Rothesay with Wemyss Bay, providing a connection to train services to Glasgow. This service takes around 35 minutes and lands you in the heart of Rothesay itself.

The MV Bute is a significant improvement over the earlier ships, with a 20-car capacity increase and improved accommodation. It usually operates alongside the Juno.

A new link span opened at Rothesay in 2007, allowing for a "drive-through" service, which was a welcome improvement for ferry users. Until then, vehicles had to be loaded or unloaded via ramps on the rear or side of the ship.

The Rhubodach to Colintraive service is a short and sweet trip, taking just five minutes to cross the Kyles of Bute at their narrowest point. It's operated by the MV Loch Dunvegan, which has been serving this route since 1999.

Here's a quick summary of the ferry services:

The Argyle Clockwork Workhorses were a crucial part of the MV Bute's operations. They were essentially winches that helped move the ship's cargo on and off.

These winches were powered by clockwork mechanisms, which provided a reliable and consistent source of power. This was a significant advantage over manual labor or other types of power sources.

The clockwork winches were used to load and unload cargo, including the ship's main cargo of cars. They were also used to move cargo around the ship's deck.

The Argyle Clockwork Workhorses were a testament to the ingenuity of the ship's designers and engineers. They were a key component in the ship's efficiency and productivity.