A Royal Navy survey ship has helped out a Coastguard helicopter by offering up her deck for winch training at sea. Returning to Plymouth after a recent North Sea survey, HMS Echo received a call for assistance from a Coastguard helicopter. It seemed the Agusta Westland AW139 was looking for a suitable platform to practise lowering and raising a winchman. Never one to turn … [Read more...] about HMS Echo lends her deck to Her Majesty’s Coastguard
Navy News
Diver rescued by Royal Navy
A combined rescue operation between the Coastguard, RNLI and Royal Navy has helped recover a missing diver off the Cornish coast. The diver became separated from his buddy after diving a wreck several miles off the Lizard Peninsula. A mayday call was sent by their dive boat at around 2:30pm on Tuesday, 1 September. This sparked a major rescue operation with the Coastguard … [Read more...] about Diver rescued by Royal Navy
Survey ship HMS Scott scans the seabed
A chasm almost as deep as the Grand Canyon, mountains higher than Ben Nevis and rivers carving their way through the Atlantic sea bed have been revealed for the first time by one of the Royal Navy’s specialist scientific ships. HMS Scott has shed light on the wonders of the deep as she surveyed the mid-Atlantic – her first mission in nearly two years. The Devonport-based … [Read more...] about Survey ship HMS Scott scans the seabed
HMS Albion rekindles old flames as assualt ship comes back to life
Sailors of HMS Albion raise a toast with veteran matelots as the sleeping lion awakens from her four-year slumber. In extended readiness since 2011, the assault ship is being brought back to life so she can take over as the nation’s principal amphibious vessel from HMS Bulwark. Albion already has around one seventh of her full complement of 350 sailors and Royal Marines and … [Read more...] about HMS Albion rekindles old flames as assualt ship comes back to life
US destroyer USS Jason Dunham visits Devonport Naval Base
The US destroyer USS Jason Dunham sailed into Devonport Naval Base on Friday to begin a five day visit. The 300 sailors were looking forward to getting to know Plymouth this weekend and a few tourist attractions were on their list of things to do, including the Barbican to see the famous Mayflower steps. The Commanding Officer of the 9,000 tonne ship, Commander Darren Dugan, … [Read more...] about US destroyer USS Jason Dunham visits Devonport Naval Base
HMS Somerset visits Iceland
Sailors from the Plymouth-based Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset have enjoyed the rare chance opportunity to visit the spectacular sights of Iceland, while on a break during a North Atlantic patrol. Although the North Atlantic is a regular operating area for Royal Navy warships it is not often that there is a stop in Iceland. During a visit to refresh the crew and top up … [Read more...] about HMS Somerset visits Iceland
HMS Portland Families Day
The Royal Navy warship HMS Portland treated families and friends of the crew to experience a day in the life of a sailor at sea. The special event was a welcome chance for the sailors to show off the ship to their guests, demonstrate how they live and work at sea and to show their gratitude for the support of their families when the ship is deployed away from home. Families … [Read more...] about HMS Portland Families Day
HMS Sutherland. Off with a bang for the Fighting Clan
The ‘Fighting Clan’ has once again proven her fighting worth by firing her 4.5in main gun for the first time since coming out of refit in March. The firing, in the South Coast exercise area, demonstrated that HMS Sutherland’s weapons systems are working correctly and saw 88lbs of steel and power leaving the barrel of her main gun at more than twice the speed of … [Read more...] about HMS Sutherland. Off with a bang for the Fighting Clan
HMS Sutherland rededication ceremony and families day
The Royal Navy warship HMS Sutherland showed families behind the scenes on board at Plymouth as they celebrated the ship re-entering the operational fleet. A decades–old ceremony was conducted on the jetty alongside the ship which has newly come out of an extensive re-fit and is now undergoing sea trials to prepare her for potential operations. The event, with guests from the … [Read more...] about HMS Sutherland rededication ceremony and families day
HMS Bulwark home from rescue mission
The crew of the Royal Navy‘s amphibious assault ship HMS Bulwark returned from an international search and rescue mission to a heroes’ welcome by overjoyed families. About 1,000 friends and families cheered the sailors into HM Naval Base Devonport in Plymouth and the ship was joined by an escort of landing craft and Royal Marines crews and a thunderous flyby salute from a … [Read more...] about HMS Bulwark home from rescue mission
