River Escapes Fortuna

River Escapes Fortuna seen here on one of her regular Harbour/River Tours of the Port of Tyne - 4th May 2008. Shame the day was gray and rainy! Photographed from Western Quay, North Shields 9North East England).

Built by Bideford Shipbuilding in 1978 she was originally known as Island Scene and was operated by Blue Funnel Cruises ( Solent & Wight Line Cruises). In 1980 her aft deck was enclosed, to make her more suitable of all-weather charters. In 1994 she was sold to Tyne Leisure Cruises, where she still runs in 2006 for River Escapes as the River Escapes Fortuna (Fortuna being a Roman goddess).
131 gross tons (as built) - 90 ft long - 250 passengers - 10 knots