MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency

HMS Portland celebrated 13th birthday during current South Atlantic patrol

The youngest and oldest of the ship's company cut her birthday cake: WO Heath and Chef Lloyd-Williams

HMS Portland’s ship’s company celebrated this month the ship’s 13th birthday as they enter the fifth month of a seven-month deployment as the Royal Navy’s Atlantic Patrol Ship.

 HMS Portland was built on the Clyde and launched by her sponsor, Lady Heather Brigstocke on 15 May 1999. Following successful completion of sea trials, she was formally commissioned into the Royal Navy on 3 May 2001 in Devonport Dockyard. It is this date that is considered to be the ship’s birthday.

To celebrate HMS Portland entering her teenage years, the youngest member of the ship’s company, Chef Emma Lloyd-Williams, made a celebratory birthday cake. The cake was cut by Emma, together with Portland’s oldest sailor Warrant Officer 1st Class, Matthew Heath, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all members of the crew.

In her 13 years of service, HMS Portland’s career has included a NATO deployment to the Mediterranean, two deployments to the Arabian Gulf, three deployments as the Atlantic Patrol Ship and one deployment to the Caribbean. She has covered 372,832 nm (equivalent to nearly 18 times around the world) and has been at sea for 33,497 hours.

As HMS Portland continues with her deployment, she will undertake maritime security operations, including counter narcotics and anti piracy patrols and will work with many other navies to further strengthen ties and demonstrate the Royal Navy’s commitment within the region.(RN)