Fortunately Hurricane Lane has come and gone. Friends of Falls of Clyde met the administrative requirements of the Coast Guard and Harbors Division to remain in port, which included confirmation of our mooring plan that has been in place for heavy weather for many years. We checked all of our lines prior to the arrival of Lane and removed the gangway from its platform as a safety measure. Post Lane, we have handled the deck leakage into our rain buckets. All is well.

We are happy to announce that David O’Neill of Save Falls of Clyde International has secured a contract to begin the repatriation of Falls of Clyde to Scotland on February 3, 2019. This information has been communicated to the Harbors Division to gain their support for an extension now that we have a firm date for moving the ship. Hopefully common sense will prevail with all parties working together. David will be launching an international crowdfunding shortly and he will be communicating details.

Friends of Falls of Clyde are excited as we prepare the ship for her repatriation to Scotland. We are at the stage where we are getting together documents and pictures that help tell the Falls of Clyde story. It is especially gratifying to see pictures of the ship when she was fully restored and to know that she can be back in her prime again. Here is an prime area that will be renewed.

As we continue to prepare for the ship’s return to Scotland, we are excited about what we are finding as we find storage space for loose items. It seems that Falls of Clyde feels it’s time to return home. Her mana is strong and even as she gets older she maintains her strength. Here are some pictures of the ship’s bell and belfry with the plate showing that they were made in Scotland and donated when Falls was first restored in Hawaii.
The need right now is to find sponsors that want to support and underwrite the ship’s return to Scotland. If you want to sponsor or know someone who does, please contact us through our website at www.friendsoffallsofclyde.org.  This is an opportunity actively participate in the next phase of the Falls of Clyde story,

FFOC continues to work to prepare the ship for her trip to Scotland. There are many little things to do. We want the move to go smoothly.
David O'Neill of Save Falls of Clyde International has sent the following message to provide an opportunity for organizations or individuals to support this major event by becoming a sponsor: Here is what you can do:
Sponsorship or Branding opportunities available during this Global News, event, sailing from Hawaii to Scotland, via Panama Canal, possible multiple stops in U.S. to maximise News coverage, the ship is 325' X 40' Hull height approx 20', if you see an opportunity to promote your brand across Asia Pacific, U.S. Mainland and European regions, then contact us at savefallsofclyde@gmail.com
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We just had a meeting with the Harbors Division folks to update them on David O’Neill’s progress. They were pleased with his progress and want to work with all of us on the moving details when they become available. There is a plan underway to have a big event to celebrate the Falls of Clyde return to Scotland, where she will be restored and recognized for the important maritime artefact that she is. 

​The main deck recoating has been completed. The weather has not been totally cooperative.  We are working on roof repairs where needed. We will continue to work on small projects in preparation for the move later this year.
The report from David O’Neill in Scotland is that the plan to return Falls of Clyde to Scotland is on track and he is making progress toward putting together all the resources needed.
Friends of Falls of Clyde is still accepting donations to offset our costs to prepare and move the ship and to help Scotland defray their expenses.

​Work continues on the projects we’ve started. The hatch covers are complete and painted. Next comes main deck repairs and coating. As a finish to the hatch cover doors, Bill MacGillivray carved dolphins for good luck. Here is a picture of his handiwork.

The new year has started off with major carpentry work on Falls of Clyde. Now that we know the time frame for the ship to return to Scotland in the summer 2018, we are replacing much of the deteriorated wood and are putting on protective covers over the two main entries to the tween deck. We have also replaced the forward hatch cover and the skylight cover over the Captain’s salon. The main deck will get some repairs and a new cover also. Here are some pictures of the work being led by volunteer carpenters Bill MacGillivray and Larry Phillips. 

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​The Scottish Plan to return Falls of Clyde to Scotland got some positive publicity with a front page story in the Honolulu Star Advertiser on December 28 with an in-depth interview with our Scottish partner David O’Neill. This gives the community an excellent status report.
Friends of Falls of Clyde has started working on a number of projects to replace deteriorated wood and replace the cover in the salon skylight. This is in preparation for the move next summer.
To all of those who follow Friends of Falls of Clyde, we wish you a very Happy New Year 2018!!!

​Friends of Falls of Clyde underwrote David O’Neill and his wife’s trip to Honolulu, which was very successful. David held several meetings to discuss his plan for Falls of Clyde when she returns to Scotland. He met with the FFOC board of directors and impressed everyone with the details of what he has accomplished and what he is still working on related to the long-term restoration and preservation of the ship. Perhaps most importantly, the Harbors Division accepted the recommendation of OHT, the Norwegian heavy lift ship company that will take the ship back to Scotland, to make the move in the summer of 2018. The Harbors Division has agreed to have David and OHT schedule the move in July, August or September 2018. David will work with OHT to set the specific time frame for the work. Companies that will be working with us locally have been advised of this timeframe.
December 12 was a red letter day as the 139th birthday of Falls of Clyde. On that day in 1878 she was launched in Port Glasgow, Scotland. This was the 10th year that Friends of Falls of Clyde has had the honor of blessing the ship. President Bruce McEwan conducts the blessing and ends with a whisky toast. This year there was a cold, light rain during the afternoon blessing, which added a Hawaiian blessing. Here is a picture of the blessing.