A team of puffer enthusiasts battles to save the rusty, corroded VIC 27 from the scrap heap. On her rusty bow she bears the name Vital Spark, a throwback to her glory days as star of the BBC's 1994 series The Para Handy Tales. The team members look on nervously as she's carefully winched up the purpose built slipway. This is the first time in almost 30 years she's been out of the water, and at last they can assess the condition of her hull prior to ferrying her by canal to Crinan where her restoration begins.
A biting, cold winter delays exterior work on the puffer so Duncan keeps himself occupied by taking on the restoration of a vintage Ford truck. When work resumes on the VIC 27, the team sets to power-washing and sandblasting the hull. This removes decades worth of rust and scale - and leaves gaping great holes. The re-plating of the heavily corroded metal looks likely to be time consuming and costly.
While a less passionate team might admit defeat, the puffer's restorers battle on. The enthusiasts are determined to secure the boat's future as steam vessel, as Auld Reekie's new coal-fired boiler is commissioned and installed.
