HMS Edinburgh Visits Lisbon, Portugal

Type 42 destroyer has completed a successful visit to the Portugese capital of Lisbon in late September.

HMS Edinburgh, the Fortress of the Sea, has recently paid a call to the Portugese capital of Lisbon.

The informal visit was a scheduled call en route to the South Atlantic where HMS Edinburgh will take over the Atlantic Patrol Task (South) (APT(S)) from HMS Dauntless.

The aim of the visit was to reinforce existing good relations with the Portuguese Government and Navy. En route to Lisbon, HMS Edinburgh was joined by a unit from the Portugese Navy and four F-16s to conduct valuable training and reinforce her operational capability.

The Commanding Officer, Commander Nick Borbone, said:

“After an intense period of training and preparations for six months away from the UK, it is great for HMS Edinburgh to be alongside in the first port of call of her Atlantic deployment. 

“We are always afforded a warm welcome in Portugal and the visit has allowed us to reaffirm the strong links with our NATO ally and enhance UK interests through regional engagement.”

Ship’s company took the opportunity to explore the beautiful city, including the charming Moorish quarter of Alfama and the Jeronmos Abbey. The bountiful and very fresh seafood was particularly enjoyed.

HMS Edinburgh’s football and rugby teams both played local sides. It was a welcome chance to stretch legs after several days at sea. The standard of play was good with Edinburgh’s football team winning 7 – 0; the rugby team did not enjoy quite as much success and succumbed to the stronger local side.

On completion of her tasking in the South Atlantic, HMS Edinburgh will undertake a number of high profile regional engagement visits in the Caribbean and the USA. She is due to return to Portsmouth in March 2013 before preparing for her decommissioning.

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Naval Today Staff, October 12, 2012; Image: Royal Navy