A new captain of the base has taken control at Faslane.
Nick Gibbons will also be Captain of HMS Neptune, taking over from Captain Craig Mearns.
For the last four years Captain Mearns has overseen the land establishment at the site which provides accommodation, logistics, welfare and ‘life support’ services to some 6,800 personnel at Clyde.
Captain Gibbons’ 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.
A Fleet Air Arm observer, he has flown Sea King and Merlin helicopters, operating predominantly from aircraft carriers and Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessels.
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.”
Staff from HMS Neptune gathered to say farewell to Captain Mearns, who, as a keen golfer, departed 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.”
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 use the facilities.
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