Clyde Naval Gazing: 28/12/2008

Biter

Clyde Marine Services' tug Biter delivering passengers to Silver Constellation 02 January 2009.

Loch Shira

Caledonian Macbrayne's Loch Shira undertakes the first service of 2009 with Ocean Crescent in the background, 02 January 2009.

Cape Pioneer

Bulk carrier Cape Pioneer lies peacefully at Hunterston 02 January 2009, while the traffic piles up!

Bulk carrier Ocean Crescent lies at anchor, apparently in the Main Channel (?), waiting to berth at Hunterston 02 January 2009. She was last seen in March 2008. This is a time of exceptional traffic in recent times, in my experience. Irvine Bay is playing host to bulk carriers Juneau (for Hunterston), Thor Confidence (for Glasgow) and tanker Antartic (for Finnart) while tanker Sten Embla (for Glasgow) lies in Brodick Bay. Cape Pioneer is still lying at Hunterston and now Ocean Crescent has arrived to lie beside Mornes (and of course Silver Constellation is still arrested!).

Prince of Ocean

Bulk carrier Prince of Ocean inbound with a cargo of animal feed passing Mornes (waiting to berth at Hunterston) 01 January 2009. A Happy New Year to all from ClydeNavalGazing!

Cape Pioneer

Bulk carrier Cape Pioneer inbound from Newport News 30 December 2008. She was anchored in Irvine Bay awaiting the departure of Castillo de Catoira.

Castillo de Catoira

Clydeport pilot cutter Mount Stuart uplifts the pilot from the outbound Castilla de Catoira 30 December 2008. The pilot was immediately transferred to the inbound bulker Cape Pioneer.