MV Jupiter (1973)

MV Jupiter was a passenger and vehicle ferry in the fleet of Caledonian MacBrayne in the Firth of Clyde, Scotland.

MV Jupiter was the first of a new generation of car ferries built in the 1970s to serve the routes on the Firth of Clyde.

Usual operation was to stern-load at Gourock and Wemyss Bay, and side-load via the starboard ramp at Dunoon and Rothesay.

As well as normal car ferry duties, Jupiter also undertook many special, passenger-only cruise voyages to various locations in the Firth of Clyde and surrounding areas.

In the 1980s and 1990s such cruises were regular occurrences in the summer months, with destinations such as Largs and Tighnabruiach seeing visits from Jupiter or one of her sister ships.

Following Cowal Games Day Saturday of 2005 only one 'streaker' was required for service and Jupiter was laid up at Rosneath for that winter.

She was laid up alongside Juno later that day and although kept as a relief vessel that winter, Jupiter never saw passenger service again.

In March 2011 Jupiter underwent sea trials in the Firth of Clyde to determine the success of a gearbox transplant from Juno.

Jupiter in 2009
Twilight view, 25 August 2010