CONTAINERSHIPS VI passes Dunoon when inbound with containers for Greenock Ocean Terminal

Contributed by Sandra B. (Site Administrator, Gourock)

For viewers who do not know the Firth of Clyde please let me explain about the following photograph.

   The small country of Scotland which of course is part of the United Kingdom is essentially divided into two geographical regions.   The northern region is the Highlands.  Highlands (as the name implies is the area of "high lands") = mountains.

   Firth of Clyde is in the Lowlands of Scotland.   "Lowlands" is the very much flatter area in South Scotland == "Low Lands"

   The next image shows CONTAINERSHIP VI off Gourock and in the far background are the mountains at the start of the Scottish Highlands.   So you have now visited the Lowlands and Highlands of Scotland.

   Incidentally the two other vessels are :

the red one is Western Ferries SOUND OF SCARBA on passage from McInroy's Point, Gourock with passengers and vehicles for Hunter's Quay, and

the other is Caledonian MacBrayne's foot-passenger catamaran ferry ALICAT on passage from Dunoon to Gourock Pier.

What horrendously / ugly looking bows

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E-mail from J.F. (Ayr, Scotland)

   Shipsoftheclyde.com is a truly wonderful website, full of fabulous photographs and information.

   Looking through the latest entries, at the ships FWN SPIRIT, GREG MORTIMER and ARKLOW RACER, I was disgusted at the shaping of their bows.    I know nothing about aerodynamics etc. but feel that these kind of bows are looking, quite frankly, ugly and disgusting.

   I like a ship to look attractive, not a bulky bowed monstrosity.    Can you imagine WAVERLEY or CalMac ferries with these bows.

   Does anyone else agree with me ?

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ARGYLE approaching Wemyss Bay Pier from Rothesay (Isle of Bute, Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

JURA passing Ocean Terminal and Custom House Quay, Greenock (Firth of Clyde, Scotland, UK)

JURA arriving from Stornoway and passing Greenock Ocean Terminal on her way upriver to Rothesay Dock, Clydebank.   At the Ocean Terminal Spliethoff's Amsterdam registered cargo ship SINGELGRACHT is preparing to leave for Baltimore, USA.

Clyde Marine Services tug CMS WRESTLER was off Greenock Ocean Terminal and strikingly and flamboyantly testing her fire-fighting water cannon monitor

Well done to JURA's Master for flying the white and red signal flag "H" which means "I have a Pilot on board."   It is not often seen nowadays when ships take the trouble - and make the effort - and show the courtesy to hoist the flag.

LACTA at the confluence of River Clyde and River Cart on passage from Glasgow for Liverpool

LACTA outbound and landing a Pilot off Custom House Quay, Greenock

Tug ANGLEGARTH was at the bow and tug SVITZER WARDEN was attached and tucked at the stern

Pilot Cutter SKUA approaches to land one of the two Pilots at Estuary Control

Pilot Cutter SKUA comes alongside to take off a Pilot

The Pilot comes down the lowered gangway then transfers onto the Pilot ladder then climbs down to the waiting SKUA

RAMANDA discharging oil grades at Fuel Terminal, Rothesay Dock, Clydebank (River Clyde, Scotland)

Contributed by Robert McManus

Notice that the RENFREW - YOKER FERRY service on the River Clyde is terminated immediately

Contributed by Robert McManus

Historic Clyde RENFREW - YOKER FERRY service closes after new bridge opens

Five Ferry Charity Cycle Challenge around the Firth of Clyde