HMS Queen Elizabeth - First Clyde Visit

Picking up on my Blog after a long absence.

Very early start this morning to ensure I was in good positions to get shoreside images.

Light couldn't have been better making things more enjoyable.

Berthing at Glen Mallan Jetty

Approaching Glen Mallan

Approaching Cove

Passing Innellan

Passing Cloch Lighthouse

Tugs in Attendance

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

HMS Diamond at Glen Mallan

The Type 45 Royal Navy destroyer "HMS Diamond" arrived at Glen Mallan this morning just before noon.

She glided in smoothly in calm waters.

After berthing transfer of munitions will begin.

MOD Police Boat "Skye" 

 Approaching Glen Mallan

 Bridge


"Skye" Makes a Move

Crew at the Stern

 Gliding in to the Jetty

 Reflective

Berthing

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

Busy Day - Military Shipping in Scotland

Early start and drove over to Glen Mallan in time to see HMS Iron Duke arrive in lovely sunshine.

A quick drive down to the Gareloch and lucky enough to catch the German U-Boat as she came back in to Faslane after the Joint Warrior exercise.

Time for home and pleased to have caught both vessels in pleasant weather.

Decided to take another run across in the afternoon and again was lucky as an American submarine was departing.

Transpired that she was the USS Dallas - the submarine featured in the movie "The Hunt for Red October".

A very early build of the Los Angeles class and very probably one we'll not see here again - but then who really knows.

 Arriving at Loch Long

Bridge Activity


 Tug Assistance

 Helicopter in Hanger

 Approaching the Jetty

Beautiful Setting at Glen Mallon

U 34 Heading for Faslane Naval Base

Navigating the Gareloch

 Faslane Bound

Busy Office

Heading Out 

Bound for Sea

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

USS Mount Whitney in Scotland

The USS Mount Whitney arrived in the calm waters of Loch Long this morning.

She is a Blue Ridge class command ship of the US Navy and
 is named after Mount Whitney - a peak in the Sierra Nevada mountain range.

She is part of the current Joint Warrior maritime exercise held in Scotland and was last here in 2010.


Note her Golden Anchor - an award given by the US Navy for sustaining superior levels of military retention.

She was assisted and safely berthed with the aid of the local Serco tugs.


Under Tow with Serco Tugs

 Coming Up to the Jetty


MH-60S Seahawk 


Bridge


Coming up Nicely


Crew at the Bow

Abeam of the Jetty


Bridge Party


 USS Mount Whitney

Slow Push  

Safely Berthed

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

HMS Ocean - Departing Glen Mallon

HMS Ocean departed from Loch Long this morning and headed out to sea.

Once again I was treated to wintry showers and feeling very cold.

Everything went smoothly as she came off the berth and the tugs did their work to cant her.

Hope we see her back again one day soon.


Waiting for the off at Glen Mallan jetty


Preparing to Departure


Coming  off the berth at Glen Mallan

HMS Ocean and SD Reliable

 Canting

HMS Ocean Off Glen Mallan

 HMS Ocean and SD Reliable

 Under Tow


In Loch Long

 Landing Craft on Deck

 Heading Out to Sea

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

HMS Ocean - Glen Mallon

HMS Ocean arrived on the Clyde this morning and headed up Loch Long to Glen Mallan.

First time I've seen her here and have to say she is very impressive.

Fortunate to get a nice sunny - if cold - day for the photographs.

 Bound for Glen Mallan

Passing Finnart


Tugs in Attendance


Closer Look

Starting to Berth 

Final Push

 Approaching Glen Mallan

Busy Bridge


Berthing at the Jetty

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