A NEW Zealand couple who volunteer on one of the oldest Ferguson vessels still afloat today were treated to a VIP tour of the yard where it was launched more than a century ago.

Retired pair Alfred and Colleen Wilson enjoyed a jaunt around Port Glasgow - chauffeured by the shipyard's interim CEO John Petticrew - after stopping off in Greenock as part of a world trip on board the luxury Cunard cruise ship Queen Anne on June 1.

Queen Anne arrived in Greenock for the first time on June 1Queen Anne arrived in Greenock for the first time on June 1 (Image: George Munro)

Alfred was born in Glasgow and his family immigrated to the city of Christchurch in the Canterbury region of New Zealand's south island in 1961 - and for the last 20 years the former locomotive engineer has been helping out along with his wife to keep Tug Lyttelton in ship shape.

The historic tugboat was built by Ferguson Brothers at the Newark site in the early 20th century and launched in 1907 under its original name Canterbury.

She left the Port with 15 crew on July 2, 1907 and arrived at her new home in Lyttelton, just outside Christchurch, 69 days later.

Tug Lyttelton was originally named CanterburyTug Lyttelton was originally named Canterbury (Image: Ferguson Marine)

Her title was soon changed in honour of the town she served and the vessel quickly made its name by escorting pioneer explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton's Nimrod out of the harbour before its famous Antarctic expedition.

Tug Lyttelton was decommissioned in 1971 and a preservation society was formed two years later to save the vessel from the scrapheap.

Over the decades it has offered regular public sailings, as well as hosted many weddings, funerals and celebrations but soaring maintenance costs have placed its future in doubt.

Tug Lyttelton launched in 1907Tug Lyttelton launched in 1907 (Image: Tug Lyttelton Preservation Society)

Ex-stoker Alfred told the Telegraph: "We wanted to visit Ferguson's to see where our tug was built and how it was assembled, as the steel on the Scotch boiler was tested for welding processing and it's of very high quality by today's standard.

"We learned a lot and told John [Petticrew] about our tug and we enjoyed our day at Ferguson's."

It was not all plain sailing for the trio on the day as the car they had been travelling in suffered a puncture and without a spare tyre they were forced to end the tour prematurely.

However, Mr Wilson and his wife, who have since returned home from their epic voyage, made the most of their brief stint in Inverclyde.

Alfred and Colleen Wilson visited the Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow sculpture in Coronation ParkAlfred and Colleen Wilson visited the Shipbuilders of Port Glasgow sculpture in Coronation Park (Image: Supplied) Colleen and Alfred WilsonColleen and Alfred Wilson (Image: Supplied)

Alfred added: "John decided to drive us around the yards and district, he explained the construction of the [CalMac] ferries and where our tug was launched.

"He took us up the hills, showed us where the Fergusons lived and we had great views of the Clyde. We also went to the [Inchgreen] dry dock where Queen Elizabeth 2 was maintained and he showed us a ferry being repaired."

Alfred at Inchgreen dry dockAlfred at Inchgreen dry dock (Image: Supplied)

As for the modern variety of vessels, Alfred described the Queen Anne as a 'beautiful cruise ship well made'.

A recent local news story from Canterbury said Tug Lyttelton's sailing days could be over if it does not raise around £150,000 for a refit, with the 116-year-old vessel having been out of service since last year due to its boilers failing a safety inspection.

Find out more by visiting the website tuglyttelton.co.nz.