MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Southampton in South Atlantic patrol

HMS Southampton has replaced HMS Portland as the South Atlantic patrol and is expected to arrive in the Falkland Islands this month.

The Type 42 destroyer under Commander Rob Vitali spent time in war ravaged Sierra Leone before heading for the south Atlantic.

Meantime HMS Portland's final few weeks in the Falklands were some of the busiest of the deployment and included visiting many of the local settlements, conducting gunnery serials, training and visiting Stanley for the final time.

Following a short patrol HMS Portland finally left Commander British Forces South Atlantic Islands' control early August 2005.

Despite the wind, rain and cold HMS Portland's crew look back on the four months in the Falklands with fond memories and a great deal of satisfaction.

After going through the Patagonian Canals HMS Portland is returning to England up the West coast of South America.