UK: HMS Argyll Sails on Patrol

The Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll sailed from Plymouth on Monday, on its latest deployment, conducting operations across the Atlantic. Families and friends bid farewell in Devonport dockyard, on Devil’s Point and the Hoe with the traditional flags and good luck banners to wave off their loved ones on the ship’s afternoon departure.

Pipers from the City of Plymouth Pipe Band were embarked on the ship. They played onboard for the passage down the Hamoaze and the Sound to reflect the ship’s Scots theme and affiliated links.

HMS Argyll is due to undertake a range of tasks across the Atlantic in support of British interests worldwide. Its tasking will be on counter-narcotics effort in the West Africa region as well as providing reassurance to UK territories and partners worldwide.

For one sailor onboard, Engineering Technician Shaun Murray (26) from Plymouth, the deployment marks a special milestone as this will be the first deployment of his Royal Naval career.

Shaun, from Roborough, is a former Saltash Community School pupil and previously worked as a lifeguard at Tinside Lido, Mount Wise Pool and Saltash Leisure Centre before joining the service in January 2012.

He undertook his basic career training at HMS Raleigh in Torpoint, SE Cornwall, and HMS Collingwood, Fareham, Hampshire.

Engineering Technician Murray said: “I am really excited to be given the opportunity to travel the world and see places that I wouldn’t normally be able to visit. I know there will be a lot of hard work but after all of the training I have received, I feel ready for any challenge.”

Commander Tim Neild said: “As we prepare to sail from Plymouth we can reflect on 10 months of hard work and preparation for this deployment in which my ship’s company have achieved fantastic results.

“This milestone however marks the beginning of a fresh challenge for Argyll and I am hugely confident that we will deliver success in all that is asked of us and in doing so will make a significant contribution to Maritime Security and British interests worldwide.”

Since completing her previous deployment only 10 months ago, Argyll has been extremely busy conducting operations in home waters, representing the United Kingdom and Royal Navy at the National Armed forces Day, the Belgian Navy Days and at a highly prestigious UK Trade and Investment initiative in Hamburg. The crew have undertaken an intensive period of training and maintenance to prepare for the tasks ahead.

On completion of her tasking in the Atlantic, the ship will undertake a number of high profile regional engagement visits in the Caribbean before returning to its base-port of Devonport home later this year.

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Naval Today Staff, February 20, 2013; Image: Royal Navy