HMS Illustrious leaving Liverpool 27th Oct

After a 5 day visit the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious left the River Mersey at around 2pm today, 3 smit tugs in attendance. One of the best weeks on the Mersey for a long time with the Queen Mary 2 visit at the start of last week! Took hundereds of images and have not even sorted all of them out yet.

Onboard HMS Illustrious 26th Oct

Paid a visit to the carrier today, she was open from 10am this morning. Lots on show to see above and below decks, it was very well organised and well worth the trip, excellent showcase for the Royal Navy.

RFA Orangeleaf on the move

The fleet tanker RFA Orangeleaf was moved out of Birkenhead and into Cammel Lairds yesterday. 4 Smit tugs were on hand. The RFA is one of the RFA fleet of vessels that will be here for servicing/refit etc at the Lairds yard

HMS Illustrious in Liverpool events

Heres a copy of the ships itinary over the weekend, these taken from the RN website (some times are obviously subject to change...

She will be sailing on Tuesday 27th Oct between 2pm and 4pm

0900	Aircraft take off from HMS Illustrious in preparation for Fly Past
1000-1600	Royal Navy Static Park Open
1400	Centenary Fly Past along The River Mersey
1600	Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team 'The Black Cats' flying display in front of Albert Dock
1630	Aircraft land back on HMS Illustrious following Fly Past

Saturday 24 October

1000-1600	Royal Navy Static Park Open
1430-1530	Flying Display in front of Albert Dock

Sunday 25 October

1000-1600	Royal Navy Static Park Open
1130-1230	Flying Display in front of Albert Dock
1300-1700	HMS Illustrious open to members of the public

Monday 26 October

1000-1600	Royal Navy Static Park Open
1000-1600	HMS Illustrious open to members of the public

Royal Navy River Mersey flypast

A quick selection from todays activities on the Mersey, more to follow............A fantastic day

HMS Illustrious arrives on the River Mersey

The RN carrier HMS Illustrious arrived on the Mersey today with a flight deck full of aircraft, merlins, harriers, lynx and seakings!! Now on the liner berth until Tuesday 27th Oct.

Be interesting to see if they use the ships flight deck for any aircraft lauches for tomorows fly past.

Lots more pics to come over the next 5 days

HMS Illustrious liverpool visit

The Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious will be on the River Mersey from this afternoon!! She will be on the pierhead for 5 days for the 100 years of naval aviation celebrations.

heres a rough guide to whats going on...

Thursday 22nd Oct......expected arrival at around 14.00hrs (subject to change)

Friday 23 October
0900 - Aircraft take off from HMS Illustrious in preparation for Fly Past.
1000 - 1600 Royal Navy Static Park open. (By the Mersey Ferry)
1400 - Centenary Fly Past along the River Mersey.
1600 - Royal Navy Helicopter Display Team "The Black Cats" flying display in front of Albert Dock.
1630 - Aircraft land on HMS Illustrious following Fly Past.

Saturday 24 October
1000 - 1600 Royal Navy Static Park open. (By the Mersey Ferry)
1430 - 1530 Flying Display in front of Albert Dock.

Sunday 25 October
1000 - 1600 Royal Navy Static Park open. (By the Mersey Ferry)
1130 - 1230 Flying Display in front of Albert Dock.
1300 - 1700 HMS Illustrious open to members of the public.

Monday26 October
1000 - 1600 Royal Navy Static Park open. (By the Mersey Ferry)
1000 - 1600 HMS Illustrious open to members of the public.

RFA Fort victoria on the River Mersey

The Royal Fleet Auxilliary supply ship fort Victoria was on the move today, she was taken from the Cammel Lairds yard and into Liverpool docks by 4 Smit tugs. Some Arklow coasters also on the move today.

Queen Mary 2 leaving Liverpool

After a brief firework display the Queen Mary 2 slipped her moorings and sailed out of the River Mersey tonight, more than a few people were out to watch her go.

Queen Mary 2 visits Liverpool 20th Oct

In less than ideal conditions Cunards liner the Queen Mary 2 arrived on the Mersey this morning. Very impressive sight!! First time to Liverpool she is on her 5th cruise and is currently touring the UK. Lots of people out to see her arrive, there were 3 ferries on today and they were all full too.

She is sailing at around 23.00hrs tonight and there is a firework display as she leaves.