ROYAL Navy minehunter HMS Shoreham returned to her home port on the Clyde this week after a three-year deployment to the Middle East.
The Sandown Class vessel left Scottish shores in 2018, making the 6,000-mile journey to the Gulf, where she was part of the UK’s enduring presence in the region along with fellow minehunter HMS Brocklesby. While deployed, Shoreham helped keep important sea-lanes secure, ready to detect and neutralise underwater devices should anyone threaten the safe passage of merchant shipping.
“I am incredibly proud of my ship’s company for the hard work and effort they have put into making this trip home a success,” said Lieutenant Commander Richard Kemp, commanding officer of HMS Shoreham.
Replacing HMS Shoreham in the area was fellow Faslane ship HMS Bangor.
The journey back home saw the crew conduct maritime security operations in over seven different seas and four vital maritime “choke points”, deterring both piracy and terrorism. Both HMS Shoreham and HMS Brocklesby also participated in Operation Sea Guardian, NATO’s maritime security mission in the Mediterranean.
There was also the opportunity to engage with foreign navies to reinforce relations, including a sail past with the Italian Navy and manoeuvres at sea with the Royal Saudi Naval Force.
READ MORE: 'Taliban sympathiser' told to leave Rhu site following security concerns
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here