PS Waverley - Maintenance Time

A rare opportunity to document the grand old lady - PS Waverley - as she undergoes some TLC before starting her summer season.

She exits the dry dock on Monday morning and will go on trials and get compass adjustments before heading up to her regular berth in Glasgow.

Here's hoping she has a bumper season as it will generate revenues to keep this icon alive on our river.

She is after all a major part of our Clyde heritage - and irreplaceable for sure.

 PS Waverley in the Garvel Dry Dock

Bow

 PS Waverley in the Garvel Dry Dock

Rudder

Stern View

Paddle Wheel

 PS Waverley in the Garvel Dry Dock

Waverley Move - May 2013 from Dougie Coull on Vimeo.

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

'Mein Schiff 1' - at Greenock Esplanade

The cruise ship 'Mein Schiff 1' came to Greenock today.

I managed a few shots as she departed in the early evening.

SD Northern River was also on passage from Faslane to Greenock.

'Mein Schiff 1' at Greenock Esplanade

'Mein Schiff 1' Departing Greenock

'Mein Schiff 1' 

 'Mein Schiff 1' off Greenock Esplanade

'Mein Schiff 1' off Greenock Esplanade

SD Norther River

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

Queen Mary 2 - Greenock Visit

Cunard's only visit to Greenock this year came in the majestic shape of 'Queen Mary 2'.

As always she drew large enthusiastic crowds - even as early as 07:00 - as photographers gathered at a variety of locations along the river.

I was fortunate enough to be able to get some quayside shots as she berthed at the Greenock Ocean Terminal.

I can vouch for the friendly welcome that the passengers received as they disembarked to sample the delights of Scotland, and the Inverclyde area.

And as she departed, once again huge crowds assembled at Greenock Esplanade to wave her off as she headed for Dublin, the next port on her itinerary.

Passing Gourock on Arrival

Arriving at Greenock

Canting Before Berthing

A Good Greenock Welcome

Pipe Band Gives the First Taste of Scotland

Almost Berthed

A Scottish Welcome

Safely Berthed

Bridge

Securing the Gangway

Quayside Work

Stern View

Stern View

Dressing the Gangway

Queen Mary 2

Departing the Ocean Terminal

Tug 'Anglegarth' Gives a Spectacular Goodbye at Departure

'Queen Mary 2' Visits Greenock - 2013 from Dougie Coull on Vimeo.

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

'Ultimax' - Outward bound

The bulk carrier ' 'Ultimax' departed Glasgow today and headed downriver.

She then headed out to sea.

 'Ultimax' - Approaching East India Harbour

'Ultimax' - Approaching East India Harbour

'Ultimax' - Outward Bound

 'Ultimax' - Gets Some Assistance from 'Anglegarth'

 'Ultimax' - Gets Some Assistance from 'Anglegarth'

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

The Vital Spark - Not Quite

Just managed to catch the 'Vic32' puffer as she came past Port Glasgow on my way home.

Fortunate to get a bit of good light too.

It's great that she still sails the Clyde and a great reminder of our past heritage when the puffers plied their trade around our coastline.

 Vic32 - Puffer - Approaching Port Glasgow

 Vic32 Heads Downriver

 Vic32 - Puffer - Passing Port Glasgow Light Outbound

Vic32 On a Nice Sunny Day

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

'Eide Fighter' Tug - Off East India Harbour, Greenock

The tug 'Eide Fighter' arrived in Greenock today.

She will tow the barge with the cable reel featured in an earlier Blog to Poland.

Her planned departure is Wednesday of this week.

 Approaching Greenock

 Wheelhouse

Heading to Inchgreen Repair Quay

Stern View

Passing East India Harbour

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

Steam Trains Head North - West Highland Line

Despite the miserable 'summer' weather continuing to make things challenging - I went across to Garelochhead to get a few images of the steam train heading to Fort William for the start of the summer Jacobite train tours.

It rained hard while they were at the station - so images are perhaps not as nice as I would have liked.

 44871 and 62005 - Garelochhead Station

Train Carriage - Garelochhead Station

 44871 and 62005 - Garelochhead Station

 44871 and 62005 - Garelochhead Station

 44871 and 62005 - Garelochhead Station

 44871 and 62005 - Garelochhead Station 

 44871 and 62005 - Garelochhead Station

Keeping Dry

Plenty Steam

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