MV Cowal in 1954. She inaugurated the regular Wemyss Bay to Rothesay car ferry service, on 1 October 1954 and remained in the upper Clyde for her whole career. From 1957 the three "A, B, C" sisters were working interchangeably. In May 1970, "Cowal" inaugurated a short-lived seasonal Fairlie-Tarbert-Brodick service. When this ended in September 1971, "Cowal" operated between Largs and Millport, until displaced in March 1972 by the former Skye ferry on the quicker Largs to Cumbrae Slip run. With linkspans at Gourock and Dunoon, the hoist-loading "Bute" and "Cowal" were restricted to the Wemyss Bay to Rothesay crossing, where "Cowal"
MV Cowal was advertised, as "Med Star", to take up service across the southern Adriatic, from Otranto to Igoumenitsa. Phetouris died in 1983 and his vision for the former "Cowal" and was never progressed. "Med Star" was sold for scrap in December 1983, and broken up the following year. MV "Cowal" was virtually identical to her older sister, . "Cowal" was the first Clyde vessel to enter service with radar. Passenger accommodation consisted of a large lounge and a tearoom above, and a bar below, the car deck. The bridge was above the upper deck, allowing passengers unobstructed views forward. Officer and