These past two week have been very positive for Friends of Falls of Clyde. First, we had a meeting with representatives of the Harbors Division, who discussed with us what they learned in dealing with projects requiring bringing large vessels in and out of the harbors. They advised us on what we will face in terms of providing information to the Coast Guard when bringing in the heavy lift ship to pick up Falls of Clyde to take her back to Scotland. As what we are calling the Scottish Plan comes to fruition, Harbors will take the ship out of impoundment when ownership is transferred to the Scots. Right now that time frame is September. Friends of Falls of Clyde is preparing the tug service and shipping agent service to be ready when the heavy lift ship arrives to pick up Falls of Clyde. We are thankful to the Harbors Division staff for their help.
We also had the opportunity to meet with Captain Jonathan Boulware, the Executive Director of the South Street Seaport Museum in New York City. He took a tour of Falls of Clyde and was very impressed by her condition after almost 139 years. He is a supporter of our plan to return the ship to Scotland. His organization is returning the ship Peking to Germany. He also reminded us that his ship Wavertree is the last remaining iron hull, three-masted ship, which is a partner to our historic four-masted, iron hull ship. A very important connection.
We also had two very positive TV spots. The first was on Hawaii News Now and included interviews with both David O’Neill of Old Gorbals Heritage in Scotland and Bruce McEwan of Friends of Falls of Clyde. The second was on KITV, where Bruce McEwan highlighted the importance of Falls of Clyde in the international maritime community even though she is not as respected for her historic importance here in Hawaii.

President Bruce McEwan had an excellent meeting with David O’Neill in Glasgow, Scotland and heard firsthand the progress that has been made and continues to come together. The work that has gone into this project is amazing and is bearing fruit. Hopefully the final pieces will come together shortly so that the Harbors Division will accept that Falls of Clyde will be returning to Scotland in 2017.
Locally, we continue to plan for the deballasting that will need to be done and to plan for the various activities we will need to conduct in order to prepare the ship for transport to Scotland. We continue to seek donations to help offset costs associated with the preparation and to gather funds that will support the Scots.