HM Naval Base Clyde has a new hand at the helm with the appointment of Commodore Donald Doull as Naval Base Commander Clyde.

Commodore Doull takes over from Commodore Mark Gayfer, who has held the top job at HM Naval Base Clyde since February 2016, and who is retiring from the Royal Navy after 30 years of distinguished service.

Speaking of his appointment as naval base commander, Commodore Doull said: “As the Naval Base continues its journey to become the home of the UK submarine service, the coming months and years will be an exciting time.

“We have a tremendously able and dedicated team here at Clyde providing essential support to our ships, submarines and people.

He continued: “I am very much looking forward to beginning my work here with them as the naval base commander, a role which is a great honour to be trusted with.”

Commodore Gayfer said of his time at HMNB Clyde: “It has been an honour and a privilege to command the Royal Navy’s most complex naval base.

"The establishment continues to enjoy its position at the forefront of delivering the Ministry of Defence’s key outputs; a reality that has made this command particularly rewarding.

“The successes that the Base delivers on a daily basis are testament to the hard work and tenacity of those that serve here, whether military or civilian.

"For their unstinting support I am enormously grateful; it is this that I will miss the most when I move on.

"I wish Cdre Doull every success as Naval Base Commander Clyde; he takes on the role at an exciting time of growth and development.”

Born and raised in Edinburgh, Commodore Doull joined the Navy in 1990 as a naval cadet, graduating from the Royal Naval Engineering College in 1994.

He has previously served in the nuclear-powered submarines HMS Spartan, HMS Vigilant and HMS Victorious.

For the past two-and-a-half years he has been based at Barrow-in-Furness in Cumbria as the principal naval overseer for the construction of the Astute class submarines.

On Tuesday, 19 June 18, with the official hand-over, Commodore Mark Gayfer left the Naval Base in true naval style.

Boarding HMS Raider, a P2000 class patrol vessel, he was waved off by sailors from the Submarine Service, HMS Neptune, Royal Marines from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group and members of the civilian workforce.

Two SERCO tug boats were also in attendance, spraying plumes of water from the Gareloch to mark the Commodore’s waterborne departure.