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
HMS Somerset
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 Somerset rugby players in WW1 memorial match
Royal Navy sailors from a South West warship, fresh from a major illegal drugs haul operation, took part in the First World War memorial rugby match to raise money for charity. HMS Somerset’s rugby team took part in the 2nd Alfred Cox Cup, playing against Ide RFC raise money for the Royal British Legion and remember those that died in the First World War. Ide RFC reformed … [Read more...] about HMS Somerset rugby players in WW1 memorial match
HMS Somerset sails into Leith for Gallipoli centenary
Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset will sail into the port of Leith, Edinburgh, at approximately 7am on Friday, April 24 for a four day visit. The Type 23 Duke Class frigate is visiting Edinburgh in support of the service of commemoration for the centenary of the Gallipoli campaign being held at the Scottish national war memorial. The ship will be open to the public on Sunday, … [Read more...] about HMS Somerset sails into Leith for Gallipoli centenary
Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset family day
The Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset took special guests to sea for a rare taste of life at sea. More than 200 lucky people, aged from six to 86, came onboard the Plymouth-based warship to join their relatives who serve as the ship’s company and see where they spend their working days and understand their jobs when they go on worldwide deployments. The excited relatives and … [Read more...] about Royal Navy warship HMS Somerset family day
Cdr Mike Smith awarded OBE
The captain of a Plymouth-based Royal Navy warship has been awarded the OBE in this year’s military operational honours. As the commanding officer of HMS Somerset, the only major warship operating in the Middle East during the first half of 2014, Commander Smith consistently demonstrated the highest standards of leadership. The duty of being the solitary UK frigate demanded … [Read more...] about Cdr Mike Smith awarded OBE
Lt Nick Bell achieves 2000 flying hours
The Royal Navy helicopter pilot on board the Plymouth warship HMS Somerset has achieved 2,000 flying hours – a major milestone for pilots. Lieutenant Nick Bell, 34, pilot of a Merlin with of Four Flight, 829 Naval Air Squadron, from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, in Cornwall, was congratulated by his flight crew and his ship’s captain Commander Mike Smith when they heard … [Read more...] about Lt Nick Bell achieves 2000 flying hours
HMS Somerset teaching Warfare Officers at sea
The Plymouth warship HMS Somerset has been at the centre of an advanced course for the next generation of warfare officers. HMS Somerset has spent the week at sea on complex war-fighting exercises designed to test skills of the next generation of Royal Navy principal warfare officers as the ship became a dynamic floating classroom. Under pressure students of the 13-month long … [Read more...] about HMS Somerset teaching Warfare Officers at sea
HMS Somerset romantic homecoming
The Royal Navy frigate HMS Somerset was welcomed back home to Plymouth by hundreds of cheering families and a romantic proposal today after a successful patrol policing Middle East policing shipping lanes. The warm welcome to Devonport Naval Base by 600 family and friends included sailor Leading Engineering Technician Christopher Chris Barker, 30, going on bended knee on the … [Read more...] about HMS Somerset romantic homecoming
HMS Somerset hands over to HMS Northumberland
HMS Somerset has officially handed over her Operation Kipion duties to sister ship HMS Northumberland, after spending six months in the Indian Ocean and Gulf region. The two Devonport based Type 23 frigates met at sea to transfer essential stores and key information to enable HMS Northumberland to continue the fight against piracy, narcotics smuggling, and criminal use of the … [Read more...] about HMS Somerset hands over to HMS Northumberland