Friday 31 August 2012

Save Greenock Clyde Coastguard - Flare Demonstration

  
Tonight saw a flotilla of small boats gather off Greenock Esplanade as part of the 'Save Clyde Coastguard' - and the owners fired off red flares to show their support.

Clyde Coastguard is to close in December of this year with its work being transferred to other centres. 
 
A large crown gathered on the Esplanade to view the spectacle and also offer their vocal support to the campaign.

Strathclyde Police were present on shore and afloat, as they had previously issued a statement stressing that setting off red distress flares is potentially dangerous and against the law unless done in an emergency. 

I saw no signs of this being enforced I'm pleased to say.

Small Boats Gather for the Save Clyde Coastguard Flare Demonstration

 Save Clyde Coastguard Flare Demonstration - Off Greenock Esplanade

Shore Supporters Joining in the Support at the Save Clyde Coastguard Flare Demonstration

 Save Clyde Coastguard Flare Demonstration - Off Greenock Esplanade

 Save Clyde Coastguard Flare Demonstration - Off Greenock Esplanade

A Rouge Flare Landed Near Houses - Save Clyde Coastguard Flare Demonstration
 
 Save Clyde Coastguard Flare Demonstration with Canoeists Lending Support
 
More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.

Lord Nelson - Greenock Arrival


The training ship 'Lord Nelson' arrived in Greenock this morning at around 09:30.

A rather dreich morning with the odd spot of rain.

Nevertheless there was a small crowd assembled to meet and greet her and her crew as she arrived.

Awaiting the Berthing of Lord Nelson - Custom House Quay

Lord Nelson Arriving at Custom House Quay
 
Lord Nelson Crew - Custom House Quay
 
 Lord Nelson - Custom House Quay, Greenock

 Lord Nelson - Custom House Quay, Greenock

 Lord Nelson - Custom House Quay, Greenock

Berthing the Lord Nelson - Custom House Quay, Greenock

 Lord Nelson - Custom House Quay, Greenock

Lord Nelson RHIB - Custom House Quay, Greenock
 
Lord Nelson - Custom House Quay, Greenock

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.

Saturday 25 August 2012

Skelmorlie Aisle - Largs


The 'Skelmorlie Aisle' is regarded as one of the most ancient and ornate in Scotland. 

It was built in 1636 as a shrine by Sir Robert Montgomerie - a Scottish knight - to keep alive the memory of his wife Dame Margaret Montgomerie who had been killed in a riding accident a few years earlier.

Inside it comprises a Renaissance canopied tomb above the burial-vault entrance.

 One Big Cat - Old Largs Burial Ground

 Skelmorlie Aisle - Old Largs Burial Ground

Wooden Painted Ceiling in Skelmorlie Aisle

 Skelmorlie Aisle - Old Largs Burial Ground

 Skelmorlie Aisle - Old Largs Burial Ground

Skelmorlie Aisle - Old Largs Burial Ground

 Skelmorlie Aisle - Old Largs Burial Ground

 Skelmorlie Aisle Staircase

Burial Chamber Entrance in Skelmorlie Aisle

Skelmorlie Aisle - Old Largs Burial Ground

 Skelmorlie Aisle - Old Largs Burial Ground

 Skelmorlie Aisle - Old Largs Burial Ground

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.

Friday 24 August 2012

The sculpture 'Endeavour' - Port Glasgow


The sculpture 'Endeavour' was unveiled on 20 March 2012 and is a reminder of Port Glasgow's shipbuilding heritage.

It was created by Malcolm Robertson and provides an eye-catching feature to the town.

I believe it has been well received by the residents of the area.

It's taken me a while to get around to photographing it, and I hope I have done it justice.

Sculpture - 'Endeavour'

Sculpture - 'Endeavour' 

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.

Cruise Ship - MSC Lirica


The cruise ship - MSC Lirica - arrived in Greenock this morning for her first visit.

Originally scheduled for Oban she rescheduled for Greenock - I believe it was for reasons of weather.

Cruise Ship MSC Lirica - Off Greenock Esplanade

 Cruise Ship MSC Lirica - Off Greenock Esplanade

Pilot Cutter 'Mount Stuart' - Off Greenock Esplanade

Cruise Ship MSC Lirica Arrives at Greenock Ocean Terminal 

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She left early evening with her next scheduled stop being Dublin.

Also caught a glimpse of the Hebridean Princess as she came upriver to anchor for the night.

Cruise Ship MSC Lirica Leaving the Greenock Ocean Terminal

 MSC Lirica Canting off Greenock Esplanade

 MSC Lirica Canting off Greenock Esplanade

 'Hebridean Princess' Passing 'MSC Lirica' - Off Greenock Esplanade

Hebridean Princess - Off Greenock Esplanade

 Cruise Ship - MSC Lirica Departing the Clyde

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.

Wednesday 22 August 2012

Serco - Great Harbour


Serco are in the process of changing their vessels' colour scheme, replacing the 'buff' that we are so familiar with from RMAS days.

The future is 'white' for the superstructures.

End of an era and we'll miss the sight of the old colour schemes I'm sure.

On the plus side, it gives us more photographic opportunities to capture the vessels in their new scheme.

 SD Resourceful and SD Oilman - Great Harbour

Serco Barges - Great Harbour

 SD Resourceful and SD Oilman Approaching Great Harbour

 SD Resourceful and SD Oilman - Great Harbour

SD Oronsay - Great Harbour

Kommander Iona (formerly SD Salmoor) - Great Harbour

More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.

Monday 20 August 2012

HMS Penzance - (M106) Sandown Class Minehunter


HMS Penzance was transferred from the Garvel Dry Dock to the James Watt Dock in Greenock today.

Assume she was in for some repair work, and she later went out on trials.

The weather held as it had been raining earlier so pleased with that for sure.

 HMS Penzance Exiting Garvel Dry Dock

HMS Penzance Dock Move - Garvel Dry Dock

HMS Penzance Dock Move - Garvel Dry Dock

 HMS Penzance Approaching James Watt Dock

 HMS Penzance Entering James Watt Dock

HMS Penzance Dock Move - James Watt Dock



More images are available at - www.dougie-coull-photography.co.uk - and are also better resolution.