The Marine engineering department on HMS Bulwark has laid down a chilly gauntlet for their Service colleagues after a mass drenching on Cougar 14 for the Ice Bucket Challenge.
Having just departed the UK for the annual exercise of the Royal Navy’s Response Force Task Group called Cougar 14, the crew were nominated by friends and family and took a brief break in operations to fulfill the request.
As Commanding Officer of HMS Bulwark Captain Dean Bassett counted down, a line-up of sailors above the assembled department tipped freezing buckets of water over their engineering colleagues.
Shortly before the soaking, Marine Engineer Officer Commander Stephen Large nominated the Marine Engineering department on HMS Ocean which is on its way to join the Fleet Flagship.
The Ice Bucket Challenge began in the US to promote awareness of the disease amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with donations made to associated charities there and in the UK.
HMS Bulwark and HMS Ocean, the Lead Commando Group from 3 Commando Brigade Royal Marines (40 Commando) and elements of Naval Air Squadrons, together with two ships from the Royal Fleet Auxiliary are deploying to the Mediterranean and Gulf for Cougar 14.
They will be joined by a range of other Royal Navy and RFA ships, as well as those from partner nations, during their deployment.
The ships form part of the UK’s Response Force Task Group (RFTG) which regularly practices its world class maritime skills, and is designed to be deployed in emergency situations, thousands of miles from home.
Commodore Jerry Kyd, Commander UK Task Group, said: “Cougar 14 is the Navy’s routine annual deployment of a maritime Task Group away from home waters.
“It demonstrates powerfully the enduring utility, employability and interoperability of the Royal Navy and Royal Marines at range from the UK.”