Type-23 Class frigate

6th May 2008

Summer-Shine Jersey Welcomes Kent

HMS Kent enjoyed time in the sun this weekend with a successful Operational Stand Off in the Channel Islands. The visit formed part of the ship’s ongoing sea training, with the emphasis on demonstrating the relevance of the modern Royal Navy to the Islanders.

The visit started with over 50 local businessmen and local media embarking for a Defence Industry Day. As some of the pictures show, the guests were treated to capability demonstrations from the helicopter and seaboat, and a mocked up Air Defence exercise in the Ops Room. They also witnessed the crew conducting pilotage and firefighting before rounding off the day with some high speed manoeuvres.

As it happened, Kent’s visit also coincided with the first Jersey Boat Show, so the crew threw themselves into supporting the events. Kent was certainly the largest attraction, and made an imposing backdrop to the gathered superyachts and speedboats. The Ship’s Company manned a Royal Navy stand at the show which proved to be very popular. There were also several catering efforts centred around an evening reception and CO’s lunch party. Deputy Logistics Officer Lieutenant Sharon Brown noted that she’d been delighted to see the whole ship effort which had gone into making sure these were a success. Although the reception had to be held ashore, the venue had been decorated to look suitably shipshape – complete with plastic seagulls!

Weekend over, Kent now starts her final week of Operational Sea Training culminating in Final Assessment – the examination at the end of training – on Thursday.

Kent sails past Jersey (Philip Jeune)

Source: Royal Navy
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Olivier

6th May 2008

HMS Lancaster Getting Ready to Deploy

The ship has just completed another Fleet Time Support Period where important maintenance and repairs were carried out. This mainly affected the Weapon Engineering and Marine Engineering Departments. For the former, extra equipment required for the deployment was installed and the ship was ammunitioned ready for BOST (Basic Operational Sea Training) – more of that later... A good deal of work was completed by the Marine Engineering department, particularly on the ship’s Gas Turbines which allow the ship to power through the sea at up to 30 knots.

The ship was sad to see Commander Moss depart and the Ship’s Company lined the upper deck to wave farewell to their old Captain as he sped past on one of Lancaster’s seaboats. We are also delighted to welcome a new Captain, Commander Bryan, who will be taking Lancaster through BOST and to her deployment in the summer.

The ship starts BOST on Monday 12th May, the eight weeks following will see the Ship’s Company put through intensive training to ensure that they are ready to deal with anything when the ship becomes operational; it is a busy yet exciting time for Lancaster. The ship will practice coping with fires, floods, casualties, air-raids, terrorist attack plus many other things – sometimes several of these incidents at the same time. Each Thursday, the ship will participate in a ‘Weekly War’ in the South Coast Exercise Areas just off the coast of Plymouth; the ship goes to Action Stations and everybody on board has an important role to play. Our first ‘war’ is in two weeks’ time – further updates to follow…

HMS Lancaster [Picture : Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy
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Olivier

14th May 2008

HMS Westminster heads for Burma

HMS Westminster has been deployed towards Burma (Myanmar) at the request of the Department for International Development. The Royal Navy Frigate, with a crew of 198 men and women has been deployed to waters offshore Burma as a contingency measure. She has not yet been formally tasked, but will be in a position to assist aid efforts if required. Her onboard facilities which could be of use include communications equipment, a medical officer and medical facilities, a Merlin helicopter which could be used for reconnaissance or to transport personnel and equipment, two sea boats and a ship’s company who are all trained in disaster relief. She has recently been on exercises in the Bay of Bengal with the French and Indian Navies.

HMS Westminster [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy
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Olivier

ANDAMAN SEA (MAY 24, 2008) USS Essex (LHD 2) conducts a replenishment at sea with the British frigate HMS Westminster (F237). The Essex Amphibious Ready Group is off the coast of Burma supporting a potential humanitarian assistance in the wake of Cyclone Nargis.

Photos © U.S. Navy (by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Kari R. Bergman)

click the image for a larger version

click the image for a larger version

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Olivier

29th May 2008

Iron Duke Heads to the Caribbean

On Tuesday, HMS Iron Duke sailed from her hometown Portsmouth with an emotional send off from families and friends lining the historic seafront. The Ship is now heading towards the Caribbean for her 6 month deployment, where she will be ready to conduct humanitarian relief during the core hurricane season. The ship will also be integrated into a multi-national force conducting Counter Drugs operations in the region. During her time on operations Iron Duke will be complemented with members of the US Coast Guard who will support the Counter Drugs effort.

A huge amount of hard work and effort from each and every member of the crew has gone into the preparations over the last few months. Since emerging from refit last September there has been little respite. The 8 week Operational Sea Training package was challenging and tough at times, but has bought every to the peak of their professional abilities. From fire fighting to flood control, salvage operations to terrorist attack, HMS Iron Duke is ready and whilst her deployment is focussed upon other tasks she remains at 20 days notice to conduct war fighting duties.

Since the end of Operational Sea Training and the visit to her affiliated City of Hull, the Ship has had a brief maintenance period alongside in her base port of Portsmouth. This has enabled all the last minute preparations to be completed but most importantly, everyone managed to get a week or two of well earned leave with their loved ones.

Commanding Officer Mark Newland said ‘Emergence from the depths of refit through to deployment today has been a huge effort, my team have worked incredibly hard to achieve a excellent performance during Sea Training and I am proud that we were assessed as being amongst the best British Warships to have completed Sea Training over the past 2 years. We are now ready for the challenges of the forthcoming deployment and I for one am looking forward to it enormously.

On the subject of leaving loved ones behind he went on to say: ‘It is of course difficult for all of us to leave our families behind however, in this day and age we have the technology to allow people to keep in touch with loved ones and the Royal Navy provides a comprehensive package of benefits to allow people to maintain contact with home. And of course our families are always closest in our thought’

Everyone is excited about the coming deployment and the challenges that will have to be faced, many younger members of the Ship’s Company have never deployed before and are looking forward to the experience. However, for many this is a period of mixed emotions, a little sadness as the ships leaves those we care about for such a long period of time, but offset the knowledge that the Ship’s Company are trained, ready and capable of doing all that is asked of us.

HMS Iron Duke sailing out of Portsmouth [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy
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Olivier

2nd Jun 2008

Deployment Day For Kent

HMS Kent recently sailed for her South Asia and Far East deployment with COMPORFLOT (Commodore Cameron) embarked for the sailing. Crowds of families gathered in the sunshine on Portsmouth’s Round Tower to wave the ship off, and their cheers and shouts certainly carried clearly across to the Ship’s Company!

The first day has seen the ship’s engines being put through their paces in a propulsion check, gunnery taking place to prove weapons after a period of maintenance, plus a number of exercises to prove the ship can tackle any problems which may occur. Those onboard have also begun to get into the routine of deployment including many deciding to attend additional fitness training.

All this follows a week of intensive preparations – from storing the ship with everything from enough photocopier toner for six months to as much chocolate (or ‘nutty’!) as the storerooms can hold. In addition, HMS Kent also held an evening reception for her affiliates and friends of Kent since this was the last opportunity to reinforce these important links for many months.

HMS Kent sailing past Round Tower [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy
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Olivier

25th Jun 2008

Hms Lancaster Provides The Perfect Platform For The Spirit Of The Sea Maritime Festival Launch

Weymouth and Portland’s inaugural Spirit of the Sea Maritime Festival will be launched on board Royal Navy warship HMS Lancaster this Friday (27 June 2008) during the Type 23 frigate’s visit to the Isle.

The 4,800 tonne ship will host an official reception on board on Friday evening where the Mayor of Portland, Councillor Sandra West, and Commodore Jamie Miller, the Naval Regional Commander for the South West, will jointly open the festival by cutting a cake made specially for the occasion.

The Festival, taking place from 5-13 July 2008, is designed to celebrate the area’s close relationship with the sea. It brings together a range of sporting activities, cultural events and entertainment – all on a maritime theme. The overall objective is to build the 'Spirit of the Sea' brand over the next four years and beyond so that it contributes to a lasting legacy post the London 2012 Olympic & Paralympic Games.

Gary Fooks, Spirit of the Sea Chairman and Dorset 2012 Legacy Manager, said “The growth of the Spirit of the Sea Festival since the launch event in February 2008 has been inspiring and encouraging. Building our legacy from 2012 has generated great energy. We are delighted that the Royal Navy are adding their energy, commitment and support for the Spirit event by hosting the official launch party. Our thanks go out to the many helpers, volunteers and sponsors connected to Spirit and, of course, the Captain, Officers and crew of HMS Lancaster.”

Whilst she is in Portland, HMS Lancaster will also be open to visitors on Sunday, 29 June from 12 noon to 4pm. This is a chance for visitors to learn more about life on the ocean waves and what it is like to live and work on board a warship. Admission is free.

HMS Lancaster’s Commanding Officer, Commander Rory Bryan, said: “The Royal Navy is extremely proud of its links to Weymouth and Portland, so I’m delighted that HMS Lancaster is able to further strengthen the relationship by providing the platform for the launch of the Spirit of the Sea Festival.”

Powerful and versatile, with the capability to operate anywhere in the world, the Type 23 Frigate is the mainstay of the modern surface fleet. Originally designed for anti-submarine warfare, they have evolved into multi-purpose ships with the capability to operate anywhere in the world. They have the ability to conduct a wide range of tasks including embargo operations using boarding teams inserted from the ship's boats or helicopter, disaster relief work and surveillance operations.

Hms Lancaster [Picture: Royal Navy]

Source: Royal Navy
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Olivier