Off to a bad start as the Massdam was delayed in sailing - coach carrying passengers was delayed in traffic
Weather was much better than expected - and forecast - at this stage
Weather was much better than expected - and forecast - at this stage
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgznnst_wwPhS0ckExD_vIpd6tg24l5_RnlB44S6NxiJ8-3_lQYDycb70C13uyX1sod53nQfnfaJMe9DCYJczYpneypGkPLSsO5tCTErtpV3sUyExtr8r7XHgH8SaE95d-rKIACY3ipSI_t/s400/IMG_5630_2009-August-15_17.23.05_cruise-ships-greenock.jpg)
Tahitian Princess sailed later
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUMMyGUfkqXmRTa1VDpNQxsW0w7w90Wi4BQX5vxc1hu0Qw7NmNzkO6DCcT18Ebqpiw6la_CB7QjU6qoG2cxF0Z4gAXXKGMtoUtUIA4W6MxhUvHDi6pjYw2fSycH7k8uvvVWtbP8yawFsMR/s400/IMG_5656_2009-August-15_17.54.30_maasdam-cruise-ship.jpg)
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikWzzkIm4H9-MjMDExQFoc-igbsMKMnLyrvZM84Rm5k0Jp3u0MaTGRfQFg_oAgWVjGZdsrWiMAWBkxJPXkT4CvO3s_avVeC1Pa2HltID-SQmofV3TW3ZzSI5eenHZ6ACv9AioqKphX1Dd7/s400/IMG_5690_2009-August-15_17.59.13_tug-cruise-ship.jpg)
The weather as you can see was now deteriorating
![](https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8n0SSeZs4I_OaBWxf0YIYJx4ZRm_hzZ2lxSi8Jt6BJoYytLAgPwko8le3PkReBt3tqsCM81RfQ8PO26SBbxU7FsRcBlJ28qeO0t0ojBQjjMpuHFIJ6YnSHpZNR40oQYCBpiAQ9_VOXqf/s400/IMG_5723_2009-August-15_18.10.19_stormy-river-clyde1.jpg)
'Battler' - tug in the background - worked very hard that night as she headed to Hunterston, then returned for a job at Finnart Oil Terminal
More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.