Gold Rover

Yet another early start this morning, but at least the weather was favourable.

First stop Rhu to catch the 'Gold Rover' as she departed to my her way round to Glen Mallan in Loch Long.

Caught 'HMS Tracker' as she transited the Rhu Narrows first.

Then the 'Golden Rover' came through assisted by Serco tugs.

Then the drive up through Garelochhead to Glen Mallan and the waiting game till she arrived.

Rewarded with some nice light and this made it all worthwhile.

 HMS Tracker

 Approaching Rhu Narrows

 Sailing Past

On Her Way

 Arriving at Glen Mallan

 Coming Up Towards the Jetty

 Passing the Shoreline

 Sun Catches Gold Rover

Starting to Berth

Almost Berthed

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

Busy Morning Around the Clyde Area

A very early start to get the cruise ship 'Ruby Princess' on her first visit to the Clyde.

A misty start to the morning so the light was a bit challenging.

Finally she berthed right on time at the Greenock Ocean Terminal.

 'Ruby Princess' Passing Gourock

  'Ruby Princess' Approaching Greenock

 'Ruby Princess' Canting Before Berthing


Easing Back to the Greenock Ocean Terminal

 View from the Greenock Esplanade

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The over to Faslane in time to catch a Trafalgar class submarine of the Royal Navy as she headed out on patrol.

A nice cheery wave from the crew was a welcome sight as the headed through the Rhu narrows.

Trafalgar Class Submarine

Tug Escorting

 Cheery Wave from the Crew


Passing Rhu Narrows

 Outward Bound on Patrol

 SD Impetus Passes the Rhu Narrows

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Next I caught the 'Gold Rover' as she passed Rhu on her to the oil depot at Faslane.

By now the sun was out, and this presented a few more challenges as bright and contrasty and perhaps not in the best place for her arrival.

Carried on up the Gareloch to get a few shots as she berthed.

'Gold Rover' Arrives

Heading to Faslane

 Heading up the Gareloch

Arriving at her Berth

Tugs Assist to Berth

Anglers on the Rocks

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

RFA 'Fort Victoria' - Loch Striven

A most enjoyable and educational day out today aboard the 'Fort Victoria'.

Thanks to a very kind invitation I was able to view this ship at close quarters and had a very nice tour of the facilities she offers.

The Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels and men are essential to the running of the Royal Navy.

One point worthy of mention though, is my trip aboard the FML (Fast Motor Launch) as this was the final time she will be launched and used by the RFA before being retired.

I'll leave the images to do the talking, but must express my gratitude to all those concerned for making it such a memorable day.

'Fort Victoria' at Loch Striven Jetty

The Bridge

The Bridge

 Looking Aft

 Looking For'ard

 Top Deck

 Looking Aft

 Through the Eye

 Winch

 On Deck

 Twin Towers

 View from the Stern

 Below Decks

 Looking Down

 Flight Bridge

 FML (Fast Motor Launch)

 FML (Fast Motor Launch)

 View from the Loch

 Speeding Up the Loch

Returning

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

Kilcreggan Outlook

Having completed photographing at Glen Mallan, a very quick scoot down to Kilcreggan to try and catch the RFA Diligence.

The RFA Diligence is a very rare visitor to our waters and I was keen to record an image, but due to a later then anticipated berthing at Loch Long I missed her in the Gareloch.

Fortunate enough to catch her - albeit at long range - as she passed Kilcreggan enroute to Loch Striven for fuel.

Also managed a few shots of other craft in the area of Kilcreggan.

Pilot Cutter Toward - Departing Kilcreggan 

'Island Princess' - Approaching Kilcreggan

 'Island Princess' - Approaching Kilcreggan with 'Toward' and PS Waverley' in Frame

 RFA Diligence (A132) - Off Kilcreggan

RFA Diligence (A132) - Off Kilcreggan

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