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.

Pretty Ivy

I thought I'd go big for my first photos of 2014. At 180 metres in length, Pretty Ivy is one of the larger ships to sail up the River Clyde to Glasgow.

After unloading her cargo, she sailed back down today using one of SERCO's tugs for assitance as well as the more usual Svitzer tug at the front.

Clyde Marine tugs

After helping HMS Defender come down from Glasgow, three of Clyde Marine's tugs; Battler, Bruiser and Biter returned to their base in Greenock's Victoria Harbour.

The sun was out and the light had a lovely warm tone.

Osprey Fighter

Some pictures of tug boat Osprey Fighter, heading up the River Clyde towing an empty barge.

Word is that they are going up to collect some parts from Babcox in Renfrew.

All good signs that business is good at the manufacturing plant.

River Clyde this week

It's been a while since I've been down the harbour but I've been twice this week. We've had a few visitors making a welcome appearance.

Tug 'Keverne' had come up to Govan with empty barge 'Woolston', presumably to take some aircraft carrier parts to Rosyth. Here she is coming back down river unladen.

'Northern River' is a SERCO support vessel. She is a relatively recent arrival to the Clyde having entered service last summer. This my first time seeing her up close. 

The Finnish ferry 'Finnarrow' damaged herself while berthing and has been brought to Greenock for repair. She is due to go into drydock next week.

She was towed to the Clyde by tug 'Hellas' before local tugs 'Anglegarth' and 'Svitzer Milford' took over to bring her into the Great Harbour.

AMT Trader departing with aircraft carrier section LB04

Another piece of the giant jigsaw that will become HMS Queen Elizabeth started the long voyage from BAE Govan to Rosyth where the two new Royal Navy aircraft carriers are being assembled.

Section LB04 is one of the largest modules housing two engines, a hospital, galley and 242 berths.

Local tugs brought the barge down the river, where BB Troll and Carlo Magno were lying waiting to take over for the journey to the River Forth.

Ocean tugs BB Troll & Carlo Magno

These two tugs have spent the last few days in Glasgow.

This afternoon they headed for the Tail o' the Bank to await AMT Trader coming down with a large section of new aircaft carrier.

Their duty is to tow the barge to Rosyth where the carrier is being assembled.

BB Troll and Carlo Magno passing Erskine

BB Troll

BB Troll

Carlo Magno

Carlo Magno

Clyde tugs

Most of the local tugs were in action today.

All three Svitzers and two Clyde Marine tugs passed by within about an hour.

Svitzer Milford

Svitzer Milford

Anglegarth

Anglegarth's bridge

Ayton Cross following Levana upriver to Rothesay Dock

Ayton Cross

Battler & Biter returning to harbour after escorting Belgian support ship Godetia

Clyde Marine tug Battler

Second Clyde Marine tug Biter heading for Victoria Harbour