USNS William McLean in Scotland

The USNS William McLean (T-AKE-12) is shown here just before she departed the jetty at Loch Striven.

She is a US Navy vessel and part of the current Joint Warrior maritime exercise in Scotland.

The twelfth Lewis and Clark class of ship.

Her duty is to provide supplies to other ships at sea - including ammunition, food,  spare parts,  general stores, and small quantities of fuel.

Quite a Size

Preparing to Depart

 Lines are Let go

Workboat Assisting

Tugs take the Strain


First Navy Jack - Motto is 'Don't Tread on Me'

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

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.

RFA Gold Rover at Loch Striven

Fortunate enough to be aboard the RFA Gold Rover today.

At forty-one years old she looks in fantastic condition and has such classic lines.

I'll let the photos do the talking.

Berthed at Loch Striven Jetty

 From the Bridge

The Bridge

 The Bridge

Classic Funnel 

Semaphore Lamp


Mast

Below Decks

Looking Aft

 Looking Aft

 Looking Forward

 Towards the Bow

Main Structure

 Forward Deck

 Looking Aft

 Looking to shore

 Looking Aft

 Bow

 Pipes, Pipes, and More Pipes

Pipework

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

Gold Rover

Yet another early start this morning, but at least the weather was favourable.

First stop Rhu to catch the 'Gold Rover' as she departed to my her way round to Glen Mallan in Loch Long.

Caught 'HMS Tracker' as she transited the Rhu Narrows first.

Then the 'Golden Rover' came through assisted by Serco tugs.

Then the drive up through Garelochhead to Glen Mallan and the waiting game till she arrived.

Rewarded with some nice light and this made it all worthwhile.

 HMS Tracker

 Approaching Rhu Narrows

 Sailing Past

On Her Way

 Arriving at Glen Mallan

 Coming Up Towards the Jetty

 Passing the Shoreline

 Sun Catches Gold Rover

Starting to Berth

Almost Berthed

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