Greenock and Rosneath, 21/4/12.

Once again it was to Greenock where in dry dock we see Waverley (1947) and Balmoral (1949) which were dry docked together on Wednesday 18th April. Finlaggan (2011) is also seen, but in the wet dock where she was moved to on Monday 16th April, following 10 days in dry dock.

Then it was to Rosneath, to see Saturn (1977), the last of the Clyde streakers. She's been laid up here since August 2011 and her sisters Jupiter (1973) and Juno (1974) have been scrapped. Is it only a matter of time before Saturn meets her fate, I certainly hope not, but time will tell.

A long day out! 14/4/12

First on this fine Saturday, it was to Renfrew, where we saw the Cailin Oir, the back up vessel for Clydelink's service from Gourock-Kilcreggan which is currently being handled by Island Princess. Then it was to Greenock where we saw Balmoral (1949) which had arrived on Thursday 12th April on the Clyde for the first time since October 2008. She and Calmac's Finlaggan (2011) are undergoing overhaul at Garvel's dock in JWD. Then to the McLean museum, then to Gourock and finally to the Glasgow Science Centre to see Paddle Steamer Waverley (1947) which is currently preparing to be dry docked in Greenock the following week.

Finlaggan on the Clyde. 11/4/12

A look at Calmac's newest addition to their fleet, Finlaggan, built in 2011 for the Islay service in Gdansk, Poland. She arrived on the Clyde for the first time the previous day and is seen here in Greenock's James Watt Dock getting her annual survey. She moved at around 1430 to the dry dock where work began almost immediately on stripping the paint etc.

Clydelink First Day. 1/4/12

Some pictures of Clydelink's first day of operations on the Gourock-Kilcreggan service on April 1st 2012 using an ex-Solent vessel Island Princess. Clyde Marine had operated the sailings to Kilcreggan for the past 33 years until the previous day, mainly using the Kenilworth (1936) and then the Seabus (2007) but also Rover (1964), The Second Snark (1938) and Cruiser (1974).

Last Clyde Marine sailings to Kilcreggan and Helensburgh. 31/3/12

On 31st March 2012, a 33 year era ended. On this day Clyde Marine operated it's last sailing from Gourock to Kilcreggan and Helensburgh due to tendering from SPT. The following day Clydelink, who also operate the Renfrew-Yoker service began operating only from Gourock-Kilcreggan with the 16 year old ex-Solent vessel Island Princess.

The unfortunate part to this story is that of the jobs which it will effect, 3 rope handling jobs at Kilcreggan were lost including that of John, owner of beloved dogs Bella and Stella. I hope for their success in finding new jobs.

The photos show Clyde Marine's Rover, built in 1964 operating on the last day of Clyde Marine's operations. She was relieving for the usual ship, the 2007 built Seabus which was on charter in Loch Ness. The pictures also show the last passenger sailing from Helensburgh at 1500, a place which has been axed in the new contract.

Argyll Ferries using Dunoon old Pier 18/3/12

Due to work on the hydraulics on the linkspan at the breakwater, Argyll Ferries were using the old pier at Dunoon on their afternoon sailings on Sunday 18th March. Ali Cat is seen operating the last of these sailings as following this she began using the breakwater once again.