Galt Transport deliver Loch Lomond's newest addition
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Galt Transport has completed the final leg of the journey for Loch Lomond’s newest passenger cruise boat, the MV Lomond Monarch. The vessel, acquired by Cruise Loch Lomond started her journey in Loch Ness and has made her way through some of Scotland’s finest waterways to her new home on Loch Lomond. The last part of the epic journey involved overland transportation from Dumbarton to Balloch before being craned onto Loch Lomond.
Weighing 50 tonnes, the vessel measures 16.5m long, 5.3m wide and 6m high and will carry up to 120 passengers when it launches on Loch Lomond from the middle of July. The move involved the combination of Galt’s STGO CAT 3 Mercedes tractor unit and Nooteboom Manoovr four axle, double extending command steer trailer as well as escort vehicles and a team of back-up engineers. With the vessel being lifted out of the River Leven and onto Galt’s specialist trailer the day before, the journey overland began at dawn the next day. Travelling through Bonhill, Jamestown and onwards to Balloch the boat was then lifted and lowered onto Loch Lomond by mobile crane when it arrived at the lochside.
Months of preparation involving several partner agencies ensured the safest, most efficient route was identified for the movement of the large vessel. Planning for road closures, Police assistance and the movement of overhead cables all came together to see the loch’s newest addition arrive at her new home.
Established in 1947 and currently celebrating their 70th anniversary Galt Transport operates over 60 trucks and 100 trailers. Large, abnormal loads are one of the many services offered by the Dumbarton-based haulage company who also specialise in lorry mounted cranes, industrial storage and driver training.
The MV Lomond Monarch joins the MV Lomond Prince as one of the larger vessels in the Cruise Loch Lomond fleet of eight vessels. The largest private passenger cruise boat operator in Scotland, Cruise Loch Lomond provides a full schedule of cruises, ferry and waterbus sailings as well as private and wedding charters.
MV Lomond Monarch will begin her sailing schedule from 20th July 2017. See www.cruiselochlomond.co.uk for more details.