Portsmouth-based fishery protection vessel HMS Tyne met with her Irish and French counterparts in a joint exercise off the Isle of Wight designed to put them through their paces and improve ways of working.
HMS Tyne led Irish ships LE Orla, LE Eithne and the French FS Pluvier in the four-day training exercise designed to improve co-operation and co-ordination between vessels which share the same aim of protecting their nation’s territorial waters and enforcing fishery controls.
Whilst the UK Fishery Protection Squadron holds annual exercises at sea this was the first time these ships had worked together.
Rigorous exercises in the English Channel included Tyne displaying her capabilities in close-range ship manoeuvring and fire and damage control techniques whilst LE Eithne and LE Orla conducted a demonstration of maritime security boarding techniques on Tyne and Pluvier.
The ship convoy made an impressive sight entering Portsmouth, with Tyne leading the patrol vessels past Round Tower and into the harbour.
Once alongside the ships swapped co-operation at sea for friendly competition in the sporting arena, with all nations fielding teams in a five-a-side football tournament and tug of war.
Lieutenant Dave Greenwood the Navigating Officer of HMS Tyne said,
“This was an important and highly rewarding exercise for all of the participating units, although we regularly train with other Nations this is the first time these particular units have operated together and it has proved extremely beneficial training for all of us.”
Commanding Officer of HMS Tyne, Lieutenant Commander Bob Laverty, added,
“This was a great opportunity to work with our Irish and French neighbours furthering our mutual understanding of the best methods to maintain the safety and integrity of our waters.
“Working in concert with our partners is vital to ensure we provide the best and most efficient service through our collective efforts.”
Having completed the exercise all the ships headed back to sea to continue with their day job of patrolling territorial waters to secure fish stocks and maintain security at sea.
[mappress] Press Release, October 02, 2013; Image: Royal Navy