Photo by Lesley Wild shows the OPV being towed from the Clyde by  Greenock tugs

Brunei navy ships leave the Clyde
They have almost become landmarks, now they are off to Barrow to await a buyer


They've been a familiar sight on the River Clyde for some years now, but now the three 'Sultan's boats' as they are known, are off to a new home.

With work on the Type 45 programme proceeding at a pace, dockyard space is at a premium at the two BAE Systems' Glasgow shipyards, and frankly, the Offshore Patrol Vessels built for the Royal Brunei Navy are taking up too many valuable berths.

The first of the class has already reached her new homeport at Barrow, Cumbria and the rest are due to join her soon.

The vessels are amongst the highest spec ships of their type, and therein lies the problem. The Brunei navy wanted them to be stuffed full of the latest and greatest wizardry and they got it. Trouble is, they don't have the personnel to man them. Initially the Brunei government said the ships were not up to spec, but that was dismissed out of hand not only by their builders BAE Systems, but practically everyone who knew a thing or two about the contract, and even those who didn't.

The rumour regarding the lack of trained personnel in the Royal Brunei Navy was circulating around the banks of the Clyde long before the dispute with BAE Systems over the ships, and was recently acknowledged as true.

However BAE Systems are at pains to point out that Brunei has coughed up for them with the full price, but now the RBN wants someone to buy them.

Ship-watchers on the Clyde got an inkling of what was going on when NAKHODA RAGAM was seen being towed down the firth by local tugboats. With no available crews, towing is the only option. All three will sit at Barrow until a buyer is found.

One wonders if a special offer will be forthcoming - "Buy Two Get One Free?"