THERE is a new man at the helm of HM Naval Base Clyde, with the appointment of Commodore Mark Gayfer as commander. 

He takes over from Commodore Mark Adams, who has held the top job there since October 2014 and is moving on to lead the nuclear propulsion team at Abbeywood in Bristol.

Commodore Gayfer said: “As the Naval Base continues its journey towards becoming the home of the entire UK Submarine Service, I fully expect the coming months and years to be both exciting and challenging.

“We have a tremendously able and dedicated team here at Clyde, and so I am confident that we will meet those challenges, overcome them, and create a base that provides world-class support to our vessels, sailors and their families.”

He added: “I am very much looking forward to beginning my work as Naval Base Commander Clyde, a role which it is a great honour to be trusted with.” 

Born and raised in Glasgow, Commodore Gayfer joined the Royal Navy in 1988 as a university cadet. Following two terms at Dartmouth and a period with HMS Cornwall, he attended Emmanuel College Cambridge to study electrical and information sciences. 

A volunteer for submarine service, he previously served with HMS Torbay, HMS Vanguard and HMS Vigilant, and for the past two-and-a-half years has been superintendent of fleet maintenance at Clyde.

Commodore Adams left the base in true naval style by boarding a Royal Marine Island Class vessel at the jetty-side to be waved off by sailors from HMS Neptune, Royal Marines from 43 Commando Fleet Protection Group and members of the civilian workforce. A tug sprayed a plume of water from the Gareloch to mark the Commodore’s waterborne departure.