News quickly spread around the island on Wednesday morning that a baby was born on board a CalMac sailing form Rothesay to Wemyss Bay – and this newspaper can confirm that both mother and baby are doing well.
The term ‘precious cargo’ was taken to extreme levels during what was originally a standard Rothesay-Wemyss Bay morning crossing for MV Argyle on April 26. But this crossing turned out to be one that will never be forgotten, especially for parents Matthew Dunn and Abigail Planck who brought their baby daughter in to the world aboard the vessel.
Father, Matthew, from Port Bannatyne on Bute, confirmed that mother and baby are doing well, and thanked all who helped make this unique birth go as smoothly as possible.
He said: “Both mother and baby are doing well, and we would like to thank the midwife, Lesley, from the Victoria Hospital Maternity Unit, who thankfully made the last-minute decision to accompany us across on the ferry – she was fantastic.
“We would also like to thank the CalMac staff aboard the MV Argyle for affording us the time and privacy to have the baby born aboard their vessel, as well as the ambulance staff for their speedy transfer up to Paisley, and the staff of the RAH for looking after us during our stay.”
Captain Lee McDowell, who was the Master on board MV Argyle on Wednesday morning congratulated the couple. He said: “We are delighted at the news of a very special delivery on board MV Argyle in Wemyss Bay this morning – a baby girl.
“Our warmest wishes and congratulations to the parents, and to our youngest ever passenger.”
The Isle of Bute News would like to congratulate Matthew and Abigail, and wish nothing but health and happiness to their new baby daughter.