Clyde River Pilots at Work

This evening was an opportunity to witness first hand one of the Clyde Pilots at work.

We start funnily enough at the final destination to park the cars ready for when we berth the ship.

Then a taxi ride to the small boat harbour at the end of Greenock Esplanade.

The pilot cutter awaits our arrival with engines running and after completing the necessary paperwork we quickly embark.

Then it's out to meet the Spanish registered 'Medal' and board her via the rope ladder. Thankfully the weather is kind today and all goes to plan.

After introductions to the ship's captain the Pilot takes command of the vessel as we head for No 1 buoy and enter the channel.

We meet a number of ships that are outbound as we progress up towards Renfrew where the cargo of scrap waits to be loaded.

As we arrive at Renfrew the small tug 'Biter' greets us and is available for assistance as necessary.

The dock at Christie's scrapyard is very tight and it's a 90 degree turn to line up for entry.

The necessary manoeuvres are carried out in a slick manner and we enter the dock with ease.

Ropes are made fast and the gangway is attached to allow us to disembark after exchanging goodbyes with the captain and crew.

A thoroughly enjoyable experience and I feel privileged to have witness the process from start to finish.

Departing the Small Boat Harbour in Greenock

Heading out to Meet the 'Medal'

Happy in my Work

Closing in on the 'Medal'

Passing Victoria Harbour

'Neptune' Outward Bound

Approaching 'Garvel Bend'

Port Glasgow Coming Up

'Aasvik' Passes US in the Channel

Leaving Port Glasgow in Our Wake

The Sharp End

Concentration Required

Dunglass Light

Passing Erskine

Modern Ship's Bridge

Passing Clydebank

'Medal'

Bridge Instruments

Rothesay Dock


Tug - Biter


Almost Safely Berthed


Berthing at Lobnitz

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

Another Busy Day in the Clyde Area

We had the German warship bound for the KGV docks in Glasgow.

The repaired bow visor was transported from Ferguson's shipyard in Port Glasgow to the James Watt Dock in Greenock.

Later in the day the Serco's 'SD Warden' and Calmac's 'MV Finlaggan' docked in the Garvel Dry Dock for maintenance work.


FGS Magdeburg Approaching Greenock

 FGS Magdeburg (F261) passing East India Harbour

 FGS Magdeburg (F261)

 FGS Magdeburg (F261) - Glasgow Bound

Calmac Ferry Coruisk Repaired Bow Visor

Repaired Bow Visor Awaits Crane to Hoist to the Quayside

 River Pilot at Work


SD Warden Approaching the Garvel Dry Dock

Crew Prepare to Enter the Dock


Vessels in the Dry Dock

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

River Clyde at Greenock

A nice busy spell on the Clyde at Greenock this afternoon.

Weather picked up too, a bonus at this time of year.

First I had the 'Neptune' on her way out, then up to the Garvel dock to catch the 'MV Lochinvar' as she exited.

Later in the day the 'MV Finlaggan' arrived before starting her annual maintenance at the Garvel Dry Dock.


Neptune Passing East India Harbour


Neptune Outward Bound


Lochinvar Exits the Garvel Dry Dock


Passing Greenock Ocean Terminal

Passing Through the Gap

 Crew Ready to Berth

Approaching the James Watt Dock

Safely in James Watt Dock

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

Vintage Bus Trip

I attended the 'Ships Ahoy' event at the Glenlee sailing ship today, and part of the day was allocated to two MacBrayne's buses.

The owners - who were also the drivers - kindly made their vehicles and services available to give us a trip around Glasgow.

I was only on the one myself - and the owner Martin was very courteous and took the time to discuss aspects of the bus and it's history.

I really enjoy days like this - a true link with our past - and we can enjoy the nostalgia with a real journey.

 Leaving Riverside Museum

 Passengers Who Hopefully Enjoyed Their Trip

 Dashboard with Clock

 Martin - Our Driver

 Peaked Hat


Reflections of Our Driver

Driver's Seat

 Waiting on the Next Bus

 Bedford C5Z1

Maudslay Marathon III - 1949 Vintage

Arriving Back at Riverside Museum

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

Final Joint Warrior Departures

Well today sees the final departures to start the Joint Warrior exercise in the North West of Scotland.

USS Samuel B Roberts being the only exception as she remains in the naval base to undergo some essential repairs.

Once again we faced the fairly strong winds with just a slight increase in temperatures.

Visibility wasn't the best - but much improved on earlier days.

So now we wish the various services a good and safe military exercise, and hope that we see one or two return to the Clyde for a debrief session. 

Time will tell if that materialises.

HNoMS Utsira Departing

 Heading to Sea

 Leaving Faslane Naval Base

 Recovering RHIB 

Ready to Repel

MOD Police Boat 'Sword' 

Farewell to HMS Dragon

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

Penultimate Day of Joint Warrior Departures

Not such an early start this morning, but early enough for a Sunday morning.

Again met with a cold biting wind - seems to be the pattern for the weekend.

Expectations were that most of the vessels would depart and this proved to be the case as those at the 'tail of the bank' off Greenock left during the night and very early morning.

The ships at Faslane started to leave around 09:00 and I managed to get a few before there was a lull in traffic.

Decided to head across to the South side of the Clyde as I believed that French frigate 'FS FREMM Aquitaine' would leave around lunch time.

Popped to Braehead and caught her there - then down to Greenock for some different angles as she departed.

 USS Cole


USS Cole

 Fellow Ship Spotters and Photographers


USS Cole

USS Leyte Gulf


HNLMS Friesland


HNMLS Holland


Exiting KGV Docks

 Departing Braehead


Approaching Greenock

Heading to Sea 

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