Ben My Chree

Inchgreen drydock opened its gates late last night for a visitor from distant waters.

Isle of Man Steam Packet's ferry Ben My Chree came in for some work following the recent stormy weather.

She is due to have one of her stabilisers removed for repair. The stabiliser will be refitted at a later date, possibly at another drydock.

Ben My Chree is due to leave at some time on Monday.

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 square Christmas lights

My last post of 2013 is of Greenock's Christmas lights at Clyde square.

The month of December has been very wet and windy here, but I've managed to find one of our better days to get some pictures of our lights on the Town Buildings and in Clyde Square.

Happy New Year to everyone for 2014. I look forward to posting many more pictures in the nest 12 months.

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.

HMS Defender leaving the Clyde

After her open day at Glasgow, HMS Defender sailed down river on a bright, sunny Sunday morning.

Here are a few pictures taken as she passed East India Harbour in Greenock.

The Hydro

Glasgow's newest live music venue "The Hydro" recently opened.

This futuristic looking building is situated at Finnieston, beside the SECC and Armadillo.

The bright lights of these modern buildings contrasts with the massive Finnieston Crane, a remnant of Glasgow's industrial past.

HMS Defender

HMS Defender spent a weekend in Glasgow, the city of her birth.

Having seen several Type 45 destroyers undergoing sea trials on the Clyde, taking the opportunity for a closer look was not to be missed.

After going through a security bag check and standing in a queue for over half an hour we finally managed to get on board, only to find half of Glasgow snaking round the stern deck, through the hangar, in through the operations room and up towards the bow of the ship before turning around and heading back to the stern.

The Royal Navy personnel made everyone feel welcome and took time to chat with their visitors.

The large helicopter deck makes an ideal playground for restless kids

A plaque remembers naval campaigns which involved Defender's fore-runners

Uniformed personnel chat with the public

Sophisticaed electronic equipment, and a small gun

A big gun

The human conga makes its way back towards the stern of the ship

One of 2 Phalanx guns which can fire 4500 rounds per minute

A display of fire-fighting equipment

Returning to the stern via the hangar