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.

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.

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.

And the Sun Shone

Well today the sun shone and such a welcome sight this was to us after fairly dreich weather in the West of Scotland.

Too good to waste, headed across to Loch Long and managed to get a few shots in the bag.

Later in the day a run to Greenock was required so stopped off at the James Watt Dock to get a few shots of the 'Coruisk' as she had a coming together with a breakwater at Dunoon and suffered some bow damage.

Then on to the Lyle Hill and got a few shots as the sun set over the Cowal Hills.

Lastly, I spied the 'MV Hebridean Princess' brightly lit on the Clyde, so dropped down to the Esplanade and got a shot in fairly still waters.

A busy and rewarding day.


'HMS Dauntless' at Glen Mallon Jetty

Divers Prepare in Loch Long


Interesting Trees at the Roadside Near Loch Long

'MV Coruisk' Awaitng Repairs

 Heavy Damage to Her Visor

 Looking West Towards Inverkip

 Twilight View from Lyle Hill

Overlooking Cardwell Bay and Cowal Hills

'MV Hebridean Princess' as Darkness Falls

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

'Golden Cross' - Final Journey for This Tug

The 'Golden Cross' is a privately owned tug that was expected to be restored.

I have previously mentioned her in my BLOG when she was beached after her moorings broke.

She had been based in Falmouth but was brought in to our waters in 2011. Originally launched in 1955 she was built by Scott and Sons of Bowling.

She broke free from her mooring in May of this year and was eventually beached on the Cowal shore near Carrick Castle, as she was identified as in danger of sinking.

A decision was made that she should be scrapped and today she was towed to Roseneath where she will be inspected prior to scrapping.

A sad end for this old lady.

Heading down Loch Long assisted by the tug 'Bruiser'

 Making Good Progress

 Seen Heading Up the Gareloch with the 'Torch' at Her Stern

 Approaching the Final Destination

 Preparing to Berth

Almost There

Safely Berthed

Clyde Shipping in November 2013 from Dougie Coull on Vimeo.

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