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Tuesday 30 September 2008

Solitaire,Carron,Stirling Spey,Boa Fortune.





Photographs taken on the 29 Sep 2008 of the Controversial pipe laying ship off the coast of Largs,work continues to fix the 'stinger'at the rear of the ship.

In the first photograph are some of the ships involved in the repair,from left to right, Carron,Stirling Spey in the distance is Boa Fortune.

More pictures can be seen HERE

Flying Phantom MAIB Report



The Flying Phantom sank on the evening of 19 December 2007 with the loss of three lives.

The tug was escorting the 39738 grt bulk carrier RED JASMINE to Shieldhall with a cargo of animal feed and got into difficulty near Rothesay Dock Clydebank as the vessels made their way up river to Shieldhall.

The full official report can be seen HERE and The Herald newspaper story HERE

Monday 29 September 2008

MV Balmotal on the Clyde





Balmoral and the QE2 can be seen here.


The Motor Vessel Balmoral was built by J I Thornycroft at Woolston, Southampton in 1949, commissioned by the Southampton, Isle of Wight & South of England Royal Mail Steam Packet Co Ltd. The company, which now trades as 'Red Funnel', operated the ship on the Southampton-Cowes ferry route, utilising her aft car deck until she was replaced by larger car ferries. The Balmoral subsequently made a name for herself offering coastal cruises around the South Coast.

Her operational time with Red Funnel came to an end towards the end of 1968, although she stayed in their ownership for a further twenty years. Balmoral moved to the Bristol Channel on charter to P&A Campbell's famous White Funnel Fleet, later being purchased by them and becoming the last working member of their fleet until 1980 . Balmoral was sold by P&A Campbell to Dundee to become a floating restaurant. This was unsuccessful and the ship was placed for sale again - surely only a scrap dealer would buy her...?

Fortunately for the Balmoral, the operators of the world's last seagoing paddle steamer, PS Waverley, were looking for a fleetmate for the 'paddler'. Balmoral was purchased by Waverley Excursions and subjected to a major refit to ready the ship for her new life as a coastal cruise ship. As part of the refit, her aft car deck was enclosed to offer more internal space - this area is now in use as a dining saloon. Balmoral returned to her former home sailing area of the Bristol Channel in 1986, where she was well received by enthusiasts and the public alike . Since then the ship has operated a summer season of excursions around the Bristol Channel but has also visited most areas of the UK, as well as making occasional forays as far as Holland and France! In Winter 2002, Balmoral received new engines, partially funded by a grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund. These, whilst operating more quietly and smoothly, have also added an extra edge to her speed.


Information courtesy of. MV Balmoral

Saturday 27 September 2008

Solitaire



Solitaire the controversial pipe laying ship,photographed late evening on the 26 Sep 2008.

Click here
for more information and photographs of the ship.

Wednesday 24 September 2008

Tuesday 23 September 2008

Tugs 22 Sep 2008 Upper Clyde



Having helped Daring and Diamond berth at the deep water facility at Scotstoun the tugs head for home.

The tugs are Bruiser,Batler,Biter,Boojum Bay and Warior 111.

HMS Daring sea trials


HMS Daring returns home to the Scotstoun shipyard after her 3rd set of sea trials.

Monday 22 September 2008

HMS Daring and HMS Diamond

Boojum Bay and Biter

HMS Daring arrives with Bruiser and Battler






Daring heading up to KGV to be canted



Diamond being manoeuvred out of her berth to make way for Daring.













The tugs slowly moving Daring into her Berth







Job done Daring and Diamond tied up at the deep water berth at Scotstoun.

On the 22 Sep 2008 HMS Daring came back to the Scotstoun yard after her 3rd set of sea trials.

Sunday 21 September 2008