VIC 72 - Vital Spark - was the last working Clyde Puffer

The Puffer was brought to Inveraray in 2001:

• 'Vic 72' built in 1944 at Hull, she was one of the last VIC class puffers built to have a loadline certificate to carry cargo and is powered by Diesel Engine. VIC stands for Victualing Inshore Craft (Victual meaning Supplies)
  
• The Vital Spark 'Eilean Eisdeal' was the name given to her by the Easdale Shipping Company but she was re-registered in 2006 as the Vital Spark after the stories written by the Inveraray writer Neil Munro who wrote about 'Para Handy', skipper of the puffer, the 'Vital Spark'.
  
• Easdale Shipping She was operated by Easdale Shipping Company, working out of Ayr harbour as of 1994 and Easdale.
  
• Made to Measure The puffers were designed to negotiate the Crinan Canal and their max length could not exceed 67 ft.