MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Royal Navy patrol ship can't get enough of Merseyside

Returning for the second time in four months, HMS Mersey will once again fly the flag for the Royal Navy as she sails in to reinforce links with her affiliated borough of Sefton on Thursday (August 2)

Last seen on the River Mersey in April, the 1700 tonne River Class fishery protection vessel is returning for a four-day visit following an intensive period of operations in the Irish Sea. While alongside at Huskisson Dock the ship has a full programme reaffirming relationships first established when she was, in a break from tradition, commissioned in Sefton rather than her base port of Portsmouth. The ship's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Jonathan Lett, will pay a courtesy call on the Mayor of Sefton on Saturday and will then host a luncheon on board for many of the region's civic dignitaries. The crew will also welcome on board local community groups including their affiliated Sea Cadet Unit TS Ardent, whose namesake Type 21 frigate, HMS Ardent, was sunk during the Falklands conflict 25 years ago and host a visit by the 33rd Lancaster Sea Scouts. The highlight of the visit will be a joint exercise with Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. Assistant Chief Fire Officer for Merseyside, Bill Evans, and around 20 firefighters will step aboard HMS Mersey to conduct training designed to test both parties on their capabilities and firefighting priorities. There will then be a final exercise with members of the ship's company fighting a pretend 'fire' and the firefighters conducting a search and rescue operation for injured crewmen in smoke filled compartments. Lieutenant Jason Varty, the ship's Executive Officer and in temporary command for this visit, said: "It's great to be able to bring the ship back to Merseyside so soon after her last visit, and we are especially pleased to be working alongside the Merseyside Fire and Rescue Service. "As sailors, we are trained in basic firefighting skills – the priority being to safeguard the crew and the ship if a fire breaks out when you're off shore and far from help. These firefighters are the experts in their field and do this job everyday. We're looking forward to learning a lot from them." He added: "The crew has also been looking forward to the stay as it gives them a chance to let their hair down, after several weeks of intensive operations, in a region known to be one of the best runs ashore in the Navy. "Our visit to Merseyside will provide a welcome break from our usual routine of 12 days on patrol and two days alongside. " HMS Mersey will depart on Sunday to resume her primary role of fishery protection and maritime security in English, Welsh and Northern Irish waters, enforcing UK and EU legislation to ensure that UK stocks of fish are sustained for future generations.(RN)