Clyde Naval Gazing: 05/07/2009

St Clare

Wightlink's St Clare in Drydock No. 9, Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009. She was released later that day.

Southampton

Decommissioned Type 42 destroyer Southampton undergoes strip-out alongside Victory Quay, Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009.

HMS Daring

HMS Daring (D32) preparing for her official commissioning (expected 23 July) 09 July 2009.

Fastcat Ryde

Wightlink's Fastcat Ryde on service (St Cecilia in the background) leaving Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009.

RFA tanker Brambleleaf is maneouvered into Victory Quay, Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009. In common with her sisters, she has a single hull. Due to the IMO phaseout of this type of vessel, she has been take out of service and is awaiting disposal (as has Oakleaf; Orangeleaf and Bayleaf currently remain in service).

SD Powerful

SD Powerful, the "brake", Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009.

SD Bustler

SD Bustler provides the "pull" Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009.

SD Sheepdog

SD Sheepdog applies a "nudge" Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009.

SD Atlas

SD Atlas at work in Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009.

"Serco Sisters"

"Sisters" Gwendoline P, SD Helen and SD Genevieve (SD Netley in the background) lying in Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009.

Fort Austin

RFA Fort Austin (last seen in February 2009) docked in Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009.

Norman Voyager

LD Lines' Norman Voyager outbound for Le Havre 09 July 2009. This vessel also maintains a weekly service from to Rosslare, Ireland and is a sister ship to the Scottish Viking running between Rosyth and Zeebruge.

Star Best

Fyffes' banana boat Star Best unloading at Southampton 09 July 2009.

HMS Endurance

Antartic Patrol Ship HMS Endurance (A171) lying in Portsmouth 09 July 2009. Maybe it is just I who cannot see signs of a multi-million pound refit?

Sir Geoffrey Rackham

MOD police launch Sir Geoffrey Rackham in Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009 (looks like they mean business?).

Kiring

"Super yacht" Kiring (last seen in the Clyde) lying at Gunwharf Quays, Portsmouth 09 July 2009.

Arco Dee

ARC Marine's "trailing suction hopper dredger" Arco Dee crosses the mouth of Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009. Further info here.

Solent Cat

Solent & Wightline Cruises' Solent Cat (sister vessel to Ali Cat, on charter to Caledonian Macbrayne) in Portsmouth Harbour 09 July 2009. A bit different from Gourock -Dunoon!