Glen Mallon on a Dreich Morning

Another early start to get over to Glen Mallon to get a few photographs of the RFA vessel 'Black Rover' departing to head down to Loch Striven.

The weather on the drive over was horrendous with very heavy rain so my expectations were rather negative.

However as I travelled down the road at loch Long it eased back and down to a drizzle.

Getting good images was challenging but hopefully I have managed a few.

Heading back down the loch road I encountered a contingency of Dutch marines who have been here for about a month carrying out various exercises.

A few photos of them and some of their equipment rounded off my morning before heading home.


Waiting on the Tugs


Coming Off the Jetty


Ready to Depart Glen Mallon



Heading Off

Transiting the Loch

Serco Tugs in Attendance

 Plenty Smoke

 Dutch Marine's Radio Transport

Briefing

Dutch Marine's Truck  

Ready to Get Wet

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

Weekend Trip

Well my weekend aboard the SD Northern River comes to a close.

Up for breakfast at 07:00 - and a tasty breakfast it was too.

Then some fond farewells to the officers and crew who so kindly hosted the group.

Not such a sunny day for our trip back, but we're all in good spirits for the journey to Greenock on the SD Eva.

Cabin on the SD Northern River

NSRS NSRS 'Intervention Remotely Operated Vehicle

 Berthed at Glen Mallon Jetty

 Departing on the SD Eva

 My Fellow Travellers

 Moody Looking as We Head Down Loch long

Cold But Refreshing

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

NSRS - SRV1 - NATO Submarine Rescue System

As part of my visit to 'SD Northern River' over the weekend I was very fortunate to witness some of the training with SRV1.

Based at Faslane on the Clyde, the unit was at Glen Mallon for training. It is owned owned jointly by the UK, France, and Norway.

SRV1 can be loaded on to aircraft for fast response anywhere around the world when required.

It has a crew of two pilots and can rescue up to 15 people at a time.

It is truly spectacular and I felt privileged to spend some time aboard  and see just what the unit was capable of - though we hope she is never needed.

 SRV1 Starting to Submerse

 Recovering from the Sea

 Looks Very Space Age

Multitude of Switches and Panels

 Space is Very Tight

Checks


SD Northern River Weekend Visit from Dougie Coull on Vimeo.

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

HMS Diamond - Glen Mallan

HMS Diamond - a clyde built Class 45 Royal Navy destroyer - arrived at Glen Mallan early this morning.

An early start in wet conditions was needed to get across to Loch long in time to meet her arrival.

 HMS Diamond (D34) - Off Glen Mallan

HMS Diamond (D34) - Off Glen Mallan

HMS Diamond (D34) - Approaching Glen Mallan 

HMS Diamond (D34) - Off Glen Mallan

HMS Diamond (D34)

HMS Diamond (D34) - Off Glen Mallan Jetty

 HMS Diamond (D34) Berthing at Glen Mallan Jetty

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

HMS (Lusty) Illustrious at Glen Mallon, Scotland

 HMS (Lusty) Illustrious arrived at Glen Mallon Jetty in Loch Long this morning.

She will be there for a number of days before heading to Norway for a military exercise.

She is sadly the only Carrier currently serving in the Royal Navy fleet thanks to severe government cut-backs in the Ministry of Defence.

She also has no Fleet Air Arm or RAF jets to fulfil her function due to the same cuts.

Rule Britannia? - I think perhaps not as we would wish.

HMS Illustrious Approaching Glen Mallon - Loch Long

 HMS Illustrious Arriving Glen Mallon - Loch Long

 HMS Illustrious Arriving Glen Mallon - Loch Long

HMS Illustrious Berthing - Glen Mallon - Loch Long

HMS Illustrious Assisted with SD Impetus and SD Dependable to Berth

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