"That Was Me" Later years Royal Iris transferred to the combined fleet of the newly formed Merseyside Passenger Transport Executive on 1 December 1969, which consisted of seven vessels. Despite an ongoing financial debt against Royal Iris from when she was built, capital was made available to refit at the Harland and Wolff in Bootle in 1971-72. Sporting a new blue and white livery, it was subsequently used, almost exclusively, as a cruise vessel. A sum of £68,000 was also provided for a new steak bar and dining area, replacing the original fish and chip saloon. Up until this refit, it had carried two side slung lifeboats on davits which were removed leaving just a single lifeboat slung from the stern. Whilst docked for the annual survey on 12 January 1975, a fire broke out in the engine room, causing extensive electrical damage. On 21 June 1977, Royal Iris carried Queen Elizabeth II and the Duke of Edinburgh on their Silver Jubilee Mersey Review. The ship was used by Granada Television during the summer of 1980 as the setting for the ITV Saturday morning children's television series The Mersey Pirate. For this purpose, a dome structure was built on the promenade deck of the vessel. During 1984 Royal Iris and the other three Mersey Ferries received the red, white and blue livery to mark the 1984 International Garden Festival at Otterspool. In April and May 1985 the vessel left Liverpool Bay for the first time since the delivery from Scotland. It was sent on a 1500-mile round trip to London on a publicity drive for Merseyside, sailing around Land's End, up the River Thames and under Tower Bridge, docking adjacent to . Decline, withdrawal and a new beginning in Liverpool During the early 1990s, funding was found to allow Mountwood, Woodchurch and Overchurch an extensive refurbishment, which included provision for cruising duties. The ageing Royal Iris, the last ex-Wallasey vessel, was considered surplus to requirements because of the cost of bringing it up to modern standards after a major survey. Over the passing years the boat had become noticeably slower and expensive to maintain. Royal Iris ran a farewell evening cruise on 12 January 1991, prior to being taken out of service and laid up awaiting confirmation of its fate. On 21 April 1991, the boat was granted a one-day licence from the Department of Transport to carry 600 people