Greenock Esplanade

Offering unhindered views of the River Clyde and beyond, Greenock's Esplanade is an ideal location to view the comings and goings on the river.

At this time of year Greenock welcomes thousands of visitors on board the many cruise ships that berth at Greenock Ocean Terminal. Today was the first time I had seen MSC Splendida in Greenock.

Dredger Deo Gloria has been busy clearing the river bed around BAE shipyard in Govan and bringing the waste downriver to dump it in deeper open water.

Among the most frequent visitors to Greenock are the many container ships which have been loading and unloading at the Ocean Terminal for many decades.

As the evenings grow longer approaching the summer months others enjoy such activities as swimming and wind surfing.

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.

Lysblink Seaways

My first post for a few weeks as the Lysblink Seaways is taken from Inchgreen Drydock where she had been taken after running aground off the West of Scotland 2 months ago.

The 120 metre long cargo ship had grounded near Ardnamurchan while travelling from Belfast to Norway on February this year and had been brought to Greenock for repairs.

Svitzer tugs Anglegarth and Ayton Cross moved the ship to Roseneath Pier this morning.

River Clyde

Greenock's cruise season is well under way with a few new visitors to the Clyde this month.

The final visitor of the month had a relatively late arrival time this morning, coming at around 11am.

While waiting for Discovery, Arklow Fame passed on her way to Glasgow. The green-hulled Arklow ships are a regular sight on the Clyde.

Also seen were small boat Sponiel. I've never seen her before and not sure if she is a pleasure boat or a work boat.

A mute swan swam alongside the Esplanade towards Greenock then took off and flew back the way she came.

River Clyde 20/06/14

The passengers on board Celebrity Infinity have seen the very best of Scotland's weather, in comparison to her last visit where she departed durning a thunderstorm.

The 2170 passengers departed sunny Greenock at 7pm, heading for Holyhead on north Wales.

Bulk carrier Egs Quest passed by the liner as she completed canting off the Esplanade.

Clydeport have recently handed the role of buoy maintenance to Briggs Marine.Here is workboat Cameron heading to Greenock carrying a red buoy.

Bianco Venture

Bulk carrier Bianco Venture passing Greenock on her way to Shieldhall Quay in Glasgow with a cargo of animal feed.

Cape Elise

After an eventful journey, bulk carrier Cape Elise has come to Greenock where she is expected to undergo repairs to damage caused in the winter storms.

She lost some of her control systems and had to be towed from off the west coast of Ireland to Hunterston where her cargo was unloaded before making her way to Greenock

Some of the damage can be seen on the rear of her superstructure and the railings around her deck.