MERSEY BEAT

JANUARY 2012

TEAM MERSEY PULLS TOGETHER FOR A SUCCESSFUL END TO 2011

IN THIS ISSUE
2011 ended just as it had begun with a busy and challenging programme for HMS MERSEY. This issue features our successful period of Shakedown and Directed Continuation Training as well as a report on our exploits throughout the past twelve months. December brought the news that MERSEY had been awarded the Fleet Efficiency Pennant, a great way to end 2011 and a well earned recognition of the efforts put in by the team this year.

ABOUT MERSEY
MERSEY is one of three Ships which make up the RNs Fishery Protection Squadron enforcing UK and EU fisheries legislation in order to ensure the long term sustainability of the UK fishing grounds. In addition, the three UK based Ships are the only warships on permanent patrol around the UK, contributing to the policing of UK waters and delivering an intrinsic element of the UKs Maritime Security.

MERSEY PUT THROUGH HER PACES IN TRAINING CHALLENGE

After a busy few months of fishery protection patrols off the east coast of the UK, MERSEY returned to Portsmouth for an intense period of training and assessment. The Ships Company were put through their paces in a wide range of serials both under the direction of internal assessors as well as visiting staff from Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) based in Faslane. The week was split between a period of shakedown and directed continuation training; MERSEY hit the ground running as the Ships Company were faced with fires, floods, damage control and casualties and in the most serious cases multi-incident scenarios featuring a mixture of all four. River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels function with a uniquely small number of personnel for the size of Ship and meeting the challenge of internal incidents whilst maintaining the ability to perform our operational role is one which requires good depth of knowledge and a whole -ship, teamwork centred approach to our work. Operating in the inshore areas around Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight during these evolutions provided an ideal environment for MERSEYs bridge team to train in pilotage and other navigation serials. They simulated poor weather, technological interference, as well as dealing with the obstacles presented by the busy shipping traffic and constrained waters found in the area.

MERSEYs seaboat plays the part of an enemy craft

Ships Company work with wires and shackles to sec ure the ship to a buoy.

With the arrival of FOST staff the focus of the training moved away from damage control and fire fighting to focus on other areas. MERSEY responded to a simulated attack from a fast moving boat exercising evasive driving techniques as well as upper deck weapons drills. The Ship was not only attacked at sea, the staff simulated an invasion by an armed intruder who was s uccessfully apprehended by the Ships Reaction Force. However we had not heard the last from him, the staff returne d later to announce he had left an explosive device onboard and then observed our response to the incident, assessing evacuation and search techniques. The Seamanship Specialists onboard were crucial to the success of the final days of our training as we conducted a number of serials in their area of expertise. We secured to a buoy in Portsmouth harbour in what is a complex operation involving the whole Ships Company in manhandling ropes and wires passed to the buoy by seaboat. On the final day we faced strong winds but were not deterred as we carried out a number of towing evolutions providing an opportunity for many of the Junior Rates within the Seamanship department to take charge of teams providing valuable leadership training and experience. Overall the week was testing and packed full with as many serials as could be fitted into the time period available; MERSEY performed to a high standard throughout and the whole team worked together to meet the challenges presented to us.

DCT featured a number of challenging serials for the bridge team

Firefighting and Medical teams played a big part during Shakedown and DCT

EFFICIENCY AWARD RECOGNISES A GREAT YEAR FOR MERSEY

Followers of this newsletter will know what a busy year 2011 was for HMS MERSEY. The Ships Company have worked tirelessly to perform to the highest standard throughout and it was a great honour for their efforts to be acknowledged with the award of the Fleet Efficiency Award for Offshore Patrol Vessels. MERSEY was honoured alongside illustrious company such as HMS LIVERPOOL, who was engaged in Naval Gunfire Support close to Libyas coastline whilst under enemy fire. This is a reflection of the commitment, professionalism and determination shown by MERSEY in what has been a varied and challenging yet thoroughly rewarding year.

Rear Admiral Potts presents Lt Cdr Anderson with the Fleet Offshore Patrol Vessel Efficiency Trophy

During the past 12 months MERSEY has effectively patrolled UK and European waters enforcing Fisheries legislation, her Marine Enforcement Officers have discovered countless infringements and ensured that punitive measures were taken against serious offenders. Two of the worst cases have resulted in the detention of the vessels in question, setting the standard for the Royal Navys Fishery Protection efforts . On land the Ships Company have been involved in a number of high profile visits to ports around the country; none more so than the tremendously successful visit to Canary Wharf in London to play a leading role in the launch of the Poppy Appeal for 2011, MERSEYs efforts helped raise tens of thousands of pounds towards a great cause. Back at sea the Ship has provided a continuous maritime security presence around UK waters, patrolling vigilantly and providing assistance wherever it was needed. On two occasions this year MERSEY has come to the aid of mariners in distress, there was the case of the fishing vessel piloted into port by MERSEYs First Lieutenant after the Skipper was taken ill and that of the Dutch yachtsman rescued from a drifting life raft in the North Sea after his yacht exploded.

The Fleet Efficiency Pennant will fly on HMS MERSEY for the coming year,

IT WOULDNT BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT TURKEY AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS

As all onboard counted down the last days until Christmas there was time for one more item on the Ships calendar, the Ships Company Christmas meal was held in the Junior Rates Dining Hall and included all the messes. It was like any other Christmas dinner, with turkey, stuffing, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding... however this one had a difference. As is traditional in the Royal Navy the meal was prepared, cooked and served by the Wardroom for the rest of the ship. All the Officers helped out, directed of course by the chefs onboard without whom the end result surely would have been somewhat less successful. Std Wilson employed a small army of SFT YOs to deck the Dining Hall out suitably for the festive occasion complete with Santa hats and crackers for all. The night was enjoyed by everyone and rounded off HMS MERSEYs 2011 in style.

SLt Davey serves the drinks to the Chippy and the Coxswain

The CO is joined by the Chef Bonar and Leading Chef Dewing

Ships Company gather together for the Christmas Meal

ET LUCE RUNS (and rows.... and cycles) AWAY WITH VICTORY

MERSEY may be smaller than many Ships in the fleet and with fewer numbers; however she is lucky to have a gym that most big Ships would be proud of. Despite the relentless pace of life for many onboard during a patrol, the Ships Company take full advantage of the facilities with many embarking on a variety of new fangled training regimes whilst at sea. As with many things in the RN, performance in the gym comes complete with the friendly scent of competition and it was with this in mind that the MERSEY 10K Challenge was launched. The aim of the contest, held over two patrols to allow full participation from all watches, was to cover 10km using the various fitness equipment onboard. More specifically entrants had to cover 5km by bike, 3km on the treadmill as well as a 2km row in the fastest possible time to be declared the winner. ET(ME) Chris Luce completed the challenge in a winning time of 26 minutes and 38 seconds, he was presented with his prize by the Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Anderson during a brief pause in the Ships programme before the Christmas break.

Lt Cdr Anderson presents ET Luce with his prize