A tale of two boats

I have been slipping slightly with updating my blog recently. That doesn't mean that I have not been taking any photographs recently.

PS Waverley has recently started her summer season on the Clyde. I took some photos of her a couple of weeks ago passing Port Glasgow lighthouse. She is the world's last seagoing passenger carrying paddle steamer and is well loved wherever she goes.

A world apart from the varnished timbers of the paddle steamer is the luxury superyacht Eclipse. Delivered to Roman Abramovich in 2010, she is the worlds second largest private yacht.

She anchored off Greenock on Tuesday morning and remained there overnight before sailing to Rothesay Bay the next day.

I took these pictures from the Esplanade shortly before midnight.

Yuan Hui Hai

Chinese registered bulk carrier Yuan Hui Hai sailed up to Glasgow under cover of dark last week, but she came back down empty and sitting high in the water at a better time of day.

The 225 metre ship passed me at Port Glasgow on her way to Falmouth.

Type 45 destroyer Duncan

Duncan, the last of 6 Type 45 destroyers to be built on the Clyde, started her voyage to Portsmouth where she will enter commission with the Royal Navy.

The river was choppy as she sailed past Port Glasgow escorted by local tugs Battler and Bruiser.

Night time pictures

Following on the night theme from my last post, I've added a couple of pictures I took this evening in Greenock and Port Glasgow.

I've been promising myself that I would photograph Port Glasgow's Endeavour statue situated at the Fore Street entrance to Port Glasgow. Here is my first picture, taken in the gaps between cars coming in and out of the town.

At the junction of West Blackhall Street and Grey Place in Greenock, a wood elf stands welcoming cruise ship passengers into the town. Once inside the Oak Mall, she now stands on a plinth for all to see approaching the town centre from the west.

Ferry launch at Port Glasgow

Once a common occurence on the River Clyde, this was the first launch in 5 years from Ferguson's, the last remaining shipyard on the lower Clyde.

As was fitting for such a rare occassion, the launch was performed by Scotland's deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon.

MV Hallaig is the first of two hybrid dual fual ferries ordered by Caledonian MacBrayne.

Workers prepare for the ceremony

People starting to come in to witness the launch

Workmen removing the supports to allow the ship to slide into the water, well most of them are busy

Deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon performs the launch ceremony....

....while local schoolchildren and the public listen intently

There she goes!!! Hallaig slips smoothly into the water

Nicola Sturgeon posing for photos with the shipyard's first female apprentice

Waverley's final sail of the season

PS Waverley came back to the Clyde this weekend. She was due to cruise on Saturday and Sunday but, due to bad weather, she didn't make it back in time for the Saturday sailing.

Today's passengers had the best weather all week for their trip.

Taken from Port Glasgow with Cardross in the background

Berthed at Customhouse Quay

Waverley departing Customhouse Quay on the season's final cruise

Next stop Helensburgh

Return to Greenock as dusk descends

The remaining passengers waiting to head for Glasgow

AMT Trader

The barge AMT Trader came up the river this morning towed by Italian tug Carlo Magno.

She was handed over to the local tugs off the Esplanade before being take to Fergusons' in Port Glasgow.

There she will prepare for transporting a section of aircraft carrier from Glasgow to Rosyth for assembly.

Carlo Magno towing AMT Trader

Itaian tug Carlo Magno

Anglegarth takes overthe towing chains

AMT Trader off Greenock

Clyde Marine tug Battler retuning to her base

Anglegarth towing AMT Trader

Anglegarth and AMT Trader

Passing Port Glasgow lighthouse

AMT Trader being pushed towards the quay at Fergusons'

Comet Festival Children's Parade

All the schools in Port Glasgow had their own parade with the theme of Anchors Aweigh. The kids had designed made their own models which the paraded through the town centre behind a huge banner and a samba band.

Many shopworkers and locals lined the streets to watch the colourful spectacle.

As an added bonus, the sun tried its best to make an appearance.

Posing for the 'Tele' photographer

Some impressive drums

Making their way up Princes Street

Getting a police excort

Awash with colour

Beating a steady rhythm

Passing the old town buildings

Colourful outfits

Holding it up high