PERSONNEL at HM Naval Base Clyde bade a fond farewell to Captain Craig Mearns last week as he handed over the role of Captain of HMS Neptune.

For the last four years Captain Mearns has held the position of Captain of the Base, overseeing the land establishment at the site which provides accommodation, logistics, welfare and “life support” services to some 6,800 personnel.

Taking over from him will be Captain Nick Gibbons, whose last post was a seven-month deployment to Rome, where he was senior national representative for the UK’s contribution to the European Union mission to counter illicit trafficking in the Central Mediterranean.

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One of Captain Mearns' last public duties was as chieftain of the Rosneath Highland Gathering just a few days before his departure – a role he has filled, as a former pupil of Rosneath Primary School, for the last four years.

Staff from HMS Neptune gathered to say farewell to Captain Mearns, who, as a keen golfer, departed in style on a motorised golf buggy.

“It has been both a privilege and pleasure to be Captain HMS Neptune,” said Captain Mearns, who will now retire from the Royal Navy.

“I wish to thank everyone in HMS Neptune for their excellent work, commitment and good humour.”

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Established in 1968, HMS Neptune is the land establishment at HM Naval Base Clyde responsible for providing essential services to the military personnel working and living at the site, as well as the civilian staff who utilise the facilities in their roles supporting the Royal Navy fleet from the Clyde.

Currently around 6,800 people work at the site with numbers expected to rise to approximately 8,200 over the next few years as the base transforms into the home of the entire UK submarine service and the Royal Navy's submarine centre of specialisation.

A Fleet Air Arm Observer, Captain Gibbons has flown Sea King Mark 6 and Merlin Mark 1 and 2 helicopters, operating predominantly from the UK’s previous class of aircraft carriers and Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) vessels.

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Captain Gibbons said: “It is an honour to be appointed Captain HMS Neptune and Captain of the Base at a time of significant growth and development that will ensure successful delivery of the Submarine Centre of Specialisation within the next few years.

“Having spent the majority of my career in the south of England, my family are also looking forward to experiencing the opportunities afforded by this unique and breath-taking part of the country.”