MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

Navy's newest warship sets sail for Falkland Islands patrol duty

HMS Clyde leaving Portsmouth

The Royal Navy's newest warship HMS Clyde left Portsmouth on Monday, 20 August bound for the South Atlantic.

The 2200 tonne ship, which is affiliated to Inverclyde, set sail to undertake her new role patrolling the waters in and around the Falklands Islands. There she will stay for at least five years as changeover crews are flown to the Falklands every six months and maintenance carried out 'in theatre'. HMS Clyde replaces the current Falklands patrol ship HMS Dumbarton Castle which returns to Portsmouth in November before decommissioned HMS Clyde's Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Paul Pitcher, said: "It is a great honour to be deploying the ship for the first time. We are looking forward to sailing in the southern hemisphere and are full of enthusiasm for the challenges that lie ahead." Launched at VT Group's shipbuilding facility in Portsmouth Naval Base a year ago, HMS Clyde was formally commissioned into the Royal Navy's Fleet on 5 July 2007. Since then she has undergone successful aviation trials and training off the UK coast. Clyde is a highly capable and versatile vessel, with the ability to operate a variety of helicopters from her flight deck. She has air and surface surveillance radars and a 30mm gun. Besides her normal 40-strong crew, she has accommodation for an embarked military force. The ship is owned and will be maintained by VT Group and chartered to the Ministry of Defence (MoD) for five years. At the end of that time, the MoD will have the option to extend the charter, return the ship or buy her outright. The crew rotation system and in-theatre maintenance means she can operate for 282 days of the year. Clyde made her first visit to Inverclyde at the end of May where more than 400 people came on board as she berthed at Custom House Quay. (RN)