More than 260 sailors serving on board HMS Edinburgh will spend their festive season on board the Portsmouth-based warship while she sails the South Atlantic. But in a bid to spread some Christmas cheer the personnel have donned their smartest Santa outfits and created a video for their loved ones set to the soundtrack of The Darkness’ Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells Ring).
Featuring scenes from around the ship, sailors wearing Santa hats, Christmas cracker outfits and elf costumes wave hello to families and friends from thousands of miles away at sea.
Commanding Officer Commander Nick Borbone , who will be away from wife Joanne and children Barney, 9, Eddie, 6 and Amy aged five, said:
“It will be strange not being there on Christmas Day and I will miss seeing them, but they have lots of friends and family to keep them entertained and I will call them to see how they are getting on.
“It is a tough time of year to be away, but I expect there will be a good festive spirit on board.”
The last of the Royal Navy’s Type 42 destroyers, HMS Edinburgh is halfway through a six-month deployment.
This marks a historic milestone for both the ship and the Royal Navy as it will be the last time a Type 42 destroyer deploys on operations as they make way for the new-generation Type 45 destroyers.
HMS Edinburgh is undertaking a range of tasks across the length of the Atlantic in support of British interests worldwide.
Her tasking will see her supporting counter narcotics efforts in the West African region as well as providing reassurance to UK territories and dependencies world wide.
Cdr Borbone will be the last commanding officer of a Type 42 destroyer. He said:
“It is a real privilege.
“HMS Edinburgh might be the last of the class but she remains a capable ship with a highly-trained and motivated ship’s company that is determined to preserve the fine tradition that the T42s have established in 30 years of service.’’
[mappress] Naval Today Staff, December 18, 2012; Image: Royal Navy