Millport Visit

We expected the Joint Warrior NATO vessels to depart the Clyde today, but the force 10 gale forecast for the Minch had other ideas.

However the USNS Kanawha berth at Loch Striven was brave enough to take on the challenge and she departed around 16:00.

The dilemma was how to get some half decent photos as Loch Striven is not exactly an easy location to get to by car.

Opted to drive to Largs but too far to get anything worthwhile in poor light. The answer was to get the ferry to the Isle of Cumbrae and then the bus to Millport.

After that it was good old Shank's pony and about a mile walk around the tip of the island to get a reasonable location.

After securing the shots it was the reverse journey, so all in all a long day, and not what I expected when I left home.

 Millport Harbour

 Bus Turning Point

 Beach Shelter

Passing Cumbrae

Heading Down the Channel

 Passing Arran

 Rock Pool

 Beach

Rocks and Sea

 Converted Fisherman's Cottage

Waiting for the Bus to the Ferry

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

Bulk Carrier 'Sun Vil II' Passing Greenock

The bulk carrier 'Sun Vil II' passed Greenock this afternoon as she made her way upriver to KGV docks.

Managed a few shots after watching the Danish warship also head to Glasgow earlier.

 'Sun Vil II' Approaching Greenock

 'Anglegarth' assisting 'Sun Vil II ' Upriver

  'Anglegarth' Assisting

 Passing Custom House Quay

Glasgow Bound

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

Joint Warrior Exercise - Day Two Arrivals

Day two and we have some more arrivals as the minesweepers leave their anchorages and head up to Faslane to berth.

Later we have the Danish frigate 'KDM Peter Willemoes' arrive and make her way up to the KGV docks in Glasgow.

The weather in the morning is atrocious and I struggle to keep the camera dry and get some half decent images.

Thankfully after I travel across to Greenock the weather improves greatly.

HNLMS Makkum

 Getting Wet

 ORP Flaming

 BNS Crocus

 HNLMS Zierikzee

 FGS Datteln

 LNS Jotvingis

 MOD Police RHIB

 EML Sakala

HNOMS Karmoey

 MOD Police Boat 'Lewis

 KDM Peter Willemoes

KDM Peter Willemoes

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

"HMS" Onyx - Update

I popped in to the yard today and documented a few more images of 'Onyx' as the dismantling continues.

I've been disappointed to read incorrect comments on the entire scenario of the factual details of how the sad demise of her have been documented in various places on the web.

 I can discount this - "the yard had sold the rights to photograph the vessel" - as complete nonsense and with no evidence to support such a statement. So how many other statements have been made without foundation comes to my mind?

 I have a trustful and respectful relationship with the yard management that allows me to take images, and without their very kind approval we would not have secured images below decks before the dismantling began.

 For that I personally am very grateful, as I believe others should be.

 Unlike many who have gone to the yard without permission and any heed to safety issues, I have always ensured I have been respectful of the working environment and followed safety rules completely.

 As much as I would like to have seen 'Onyx' preserved it is clear that sufficient monies were never raised for what would have been a massive outlay. 

Also bear in mind that she lay at Barrow-in-Furness for about seven years but unfortunately the project there was unsuccessful. So past efforts were an indication of what could happen.

 In the absence of anything happening here I believe that it is good that the local workers at least have employment in the dismantling process, and that the job did not go to another country.

 Dismantling Continues

 High and Dry

 Beached View

 From the Beach Area

 From the Pier

Decay and Rust is Evident

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

Joint Warrior Exercise - Day One Arrivals

This was day one of the vessels arriving for the upcoming Joint Warrior exercise.

The tally was very low and as the minesweepers opted to drop anchor rather than head up to Faslane it was a bit frustrating.

To add to the woes, the Spanish ship arrived a very long time after the two Americans so there was a lot of hanging around.

Thankfully I had my good friends around to help pass the time as we chewed the fat.

One nice touch was the USS Vicksburg playing bagpipes as she passed Rhu Narrows - thanks guys - much appreciated.

I'll add more images to this Blog later so feel free to pop back in a day or two.

I've included the 'Shackleton' purely for interest as she is an unusual visitor here.

 USS Vicksburg 

 Deck Party

Decks Manned for Arrival

MOD Police Boat 'Jura' Escorting

USS Vicksburg Bound for Faslane

HMS Tyne

 USS Jason Dunham

ESPS Cristobal Colon


Shackleton Survey Vessel

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

'Isle of Arran' - Winter Maintenance

The Calmac ferry 'Isle of Arran' entered the Garvel Dry Dock this afternoon to undertake her annual maintenance.

She is the first of the fleet to come in for her winter service.

It was a beautiful sunny afternoon and fairly warm too.

All went smoothly and to plan.

 Going Astern in James Watt Dock

 Steady as She goes


Clear of the James Watt Dock

 Watching Eyes

 Lining Up for the Garvel Dry Dock

 Almost in the Dock

 Slowly Entering

 Coming in to the Garvel Dry Dock

 Straightening Up

 Moving Further in to the Dock

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