MercoPress. South Atlantic News Agency
HMS Lancaster, RFA Gold Rover and South African units in naval exercise
HMS Lancaster and RFA Gold Rover received a warm welcome from South African frigate Spioenkop and patrol vessels Galashewe and Isaac Dyobha 
Lancaster and Gold Rover are now alongside in Simon’s Town Naval Base where they have begun a maintenance and leave period. Three South African Navy ships have joined two British Royal Navy vessels and welcomed them to Simon’s Town. The frigate HMS Lancaster and Royal Fleet Auxiliary tanker, Gold Rover, on Atlantic Patrol Tasking have both spent 19 days travelling 4,000 miles across the cold South Atlantic, calling at the Falkland Islands and South Georgia.
But they received a warm welcome from the South African frigate Spioenkop and patrol vessels Galashewe and Isaac Dyobha as they made their way into False Bay.
It was a rare opportunity for the five ships to work out together in a series of impressive Officer of the Watch Maneuvers It was incredible to see the five vessels working so closely in partnership.
These gave the ships a chance to exercise their bridge teams in ship handling and tactical communications.
All of this was captured by Lancaster’s Wildcat helicopter and embarked photographer, Leading Photographer Des Wade. He said: “This was a fantastic, and rare, opportunity for me to take part in.
“It was incredible to see the five vessels working so closely in partnership and demonstrates how closely aligned our two navies are.”
Lancaster and Gold Rover are now alongside in Simon’s Town Naval Base where they have begun a maintenance and leave period.
The Portsmouth based Type 23 frigate HMS Lancaster on Atlantic patrol duties is halfway through a nine month deployment –having travelled 20,000 miles visiting 10 ports – and should be returning to Portsmouth by Christmas.
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Read all commentsOh look, a member of the BRICS happily involved in naval exercises in the south atlantic with the Royal Navy, the same Navy that protects the Falkland Islands.
Aug 24th, 2015 - 10:42 am 0All countries support Argentina, give me a break!
TMBOA and the Tinman will put spin on this...no doubt, in their deluded world, The S.A. navy was spying on the two British vessels on their behalf ..... or wait.... maybe just maybe...
Aug 24th, 2015 - 11:43 am 0The S.A. navy, like a lot of countries worldwide, hold the Royal Navy and the UK in high regard and just nod at the right times during their dealings with rgeeland, ... is that the sound of TMBOA crying we hear lol
South Africa rejoined the Commonwealth in 1994 long before the BRICS tried to become a 'thing' and has now had over 50 years in membership.
Aug 24th, 2015 - 12:25 pm 0It will still be a member of the Commonwealth long after the BRICS join COMECON as a historical footnote.
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