Vigilant. - 13 photo's.

photo 1 above courtesy of Mr. Chris Bradley.

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All of the photo's from 2 through to 13 were taken by me as HMS Vigilant entered "Plymouth Sound" on Sat afternoon 11th October 2008

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photo's 5, 6, and 7 above show her being taken under control by "Tugs" to assist her passage through the "Sound" and into Devonport Dockyard.
It will be noted that there is a small white boat in the centre of photo 7 above.
She had suffered engine failure and was under tow from a small Dinghy. 

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In these 3 photo's above, we can see the same small white boat, now in 20ft of water off "Raveness Point",
where I'm sure it must represent a "Dire Threat", being unnecessarily "Harassed" by the MOD Police,
whilst "Vigilant" is still approx 1.5 miles away in Jennicliff Bay, as they try to keep "Vigilant's" path clear. 

Photo 10 above shows them moving off in search of fresh, un-moving victims anchored in "Barn Pool".

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The 3 photo's above show "Vigilant" rounding "Devils Point and Western Kings" into the "Narrows"
about 20 minutes after the shots of the MOD Police above.

Whilst it is completely necessary that vessels restricted in their ability to manouevre have their paths kept clear, i
in order to prevent accidents and risks of "grounding" in confined channels,
do The MoD Police really have to be so "up for a fight" in the performance of their duties ?.

Sadly, any "Terrorist" worth his "Salt" has only the need to be lucky just the once, whilst the MoD Police have to be "Lucky" all the time.
However, the "States" paranoia and, quite often, over-reaction, about the perceived risks posed by "Terrorism"
is now causing more problems than have ever, so far, been presented by so called "Terrorists".

If there is such a huge problem now existing, why weren't the roads on Plymouth Hoe or the car parks at "Devils Point" and Mt Edgcumbe closed down,
as well as the water access in the "Sound".
I'm positive that any budding "Ali-Baba" would be well able to find a parking spot on the Hoe and let fly with a few "R.P.G.'s".
Over-reaction really does "spring to mind" !!

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Return to "Index 20a". - Submarines, - Nuclear.