It’s not every day that a Royal Navy warship celebrates her 20th birthday and HMS Somerset has done so in style.
Currently in the final month of her deployment, Somerset, and her seaboats, have drawn the number 20 across the blue seas of the Mediterranean.
The 200 men and women have adopted the tag line “Celebrating 20 years of ‘Faith for Duty’; 1994 -2014” and will be undertaking a series of events to celebrate the birthday over the next few months.
Somerset is now on her way home from the Gulf where she has been taking part in maritime security operations designed to deter, disrupt and stop the unlawful use of the sea in order to protect global maritime security and secure freedom of navigation for the benefit of all nations.
Built by Yarrow Shipbuilders in Glasgow, HMS Somerset was launched on 25 June 1994 by Lady Layard – wife of the then Second Sea Lord.
Twenty years on the West Country’s favourite warship has travelled 57,500 nautical miles visiting numerous countries worldwide.
Tomorrow (25 June) her company will cut a cake to celebrate her 20th birthday.
Somerset’s Commanding Officer, Commander Mike Smith, added: “HMS Somerset is as capable and effective today as she was built to be 20 years ago. Our recent successful deployment is testament to a first class design and the effectiveness of the Royal Navy.
“She has much more to offer the Service in the future.”
HMS Somerset will return to her home port of Devonport, Plymouth next month following her six months in the Gulf.
[mappress] Press Release, June 24, 2014; Image: UK Navy