Deckhands were still tidying up and finishing a few aesthetics after the vintage steamship's annual maintenance survey.
However, "the Lady of the Lake", looking freshly painted and varnished, sailed smoothly under a full head of steam to the Walter Peak homestead.
Senior skipper Graham "Twinny" Moore-Carter said he expected Earnslaw to carry up to 300 passengers per trip at the height of the summer season.
"It's good to have her back on the run. Earnslaw is the attraction, for obvious reasons, and Fiordlander 1 doesn't have the same appeal."
The coal-burning twin-screw steamer was out of the water at the Kelvin Heights slipway from the end of May for overhaul and preventive maintenance.
The hull of the 95-year-old ship was inspected and both boilers were fully surveyed.
The emergency steering gear was overhauled, two piston rods in the main engines were modified and the air pump was reconditioned.
Two reconditioned water-feed pumps were installed and new firefighting equipment added in risk areas.
Generators were upgraded with modern electronic controls.
Painting and varnishing were carried out in a number of areas and worn decking was replaced.
A fortnight ago, Real Journeys staff waited for the perfect weather conditions for passenger boat Fiordlander 1 to tow Earnslaw to her traditional port of call by the wharf.
She will be operating until her next survey in May 2009.
October will be the 96th anniversary of her commissioning.
