The Royal Marines, from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group, based at HMNB Clyde, were conducting an underway boarding exercise on the Firth of Clyde.

The team train to be able to board any vessel at sea, using a variety of methods including boats and helicopters.

Despite rough seas, the Marines were able to thrill the on-looking ferry passengers with continuous drills during the 50-minute journey from Ardossan to Brodick.

The exercise was designed to train the Royal Navy’s Fleet Contingent Troop (FCT), one of 43 Commando’s many teams who are deployed golabally on counter-narcotics and counter-piracy operations.

The troop consists of around 30 men, who are the Royal Navy’s boarding specialists, skilled in enhanced access and entry techniques.

Colonel Matt Pierson, Commanding Officer of 43 Commando, said: “Thanks to the kind support of Caledonian MacBrayne, one of our specialist troops was able to achieve significant training in demanding sea conditions, which will prove invaluable on operations.” Marines from 43 Commando have been instrumental in many recent successes on the high seas, including the seizure of narcotics with a street value of £21M while embarked on HMS Argyll in the Caribbean, and on HMS Somerset in the Indian Ocean, where heroin was seized worth £8M.

Closer to home, Royal Marines from 43 Commando also enhanced the wider security presence for last year’s Glasgow Commonwealth Games, providing Police Scotland with an available and unique waterborne capability.