His Royal Highness, who is the Commodore-in-Chief of the Maritime Reserves landed on the ship in a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter and was escorted on a tour around the departments of the Amphibious Assault Ship by the Ship’s Commanding Officer Captain Alex Burton.
The visit included an exhilarating trip around Weymouth Bay in an Offshore Raiding Craft, that can reach up to 40 knots, to view the Royal Navy’s small boat and Landing Craft activity. Three Royal Marines from 10 Training Squadron RM Poole escorted the Prince, while the Prince took the opportunity to take the helm under the watchful eyes of the Royal Marines coxswain.
During his tour of the Ship, HRH Prince Michael was introduced to sailors and marine craft Controllers in the Combined Operations Room where Police officers sit alongside military and civil agency teams working together to provide a safe and secure field of play for the Olympic competitors.
Three officers from the Royal Navy Reserve shared with Prince Michael their experiences of specialist duties on the ship in the Amphibious, Aviation and Media Operations departments .
The Maritime Reserves have been mobilised from their civilian lives this summer to support the Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Guests from the Naval Supporting Charities enjoyed a buffet lunch on the Ship’s vehicle deck which had been transformed into an audio-visual experience of marine equipment, while sailors and Royal Marines explained the static displays from every department on the ship including the Ship’s modern defensive systems, boats, vehicles and even the historic Field Gun stowed on board.
His Royal Highness had an action packed few hours on board the ship before leaving by helicopter for his next appointment having witnessed the high standards of preparedness that the Royal Navy is renowned for.
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, July 25, 2012; Image: Royal Navy