UK: HMS Enterprise Returns to Plymouth After 20 Months Away

HMS Enterprise returned to her home port of Plymouth on Friday 10 June after 20 months away.

The survey ship returned to Devonport having sailed over 50,000 miles during her deployment. Her most recent operations over the last few months include surveying an area the size of Dartmoor National Park.

Her deployment has also included West Africa, Arabian Gulf, Gibraltar, Oman and southern Red Sea.

HMS Enterprise is one of two Echo Class ships in the Royal Navy designed to spend most of their time on operations, so it was an exciting moment for her ship’s company and their families when she finally arrived at her base-port.

Commander Jon Holmes, the ship’s commanding officer said:

“It is always special for a ship to return to her home base after a long period away. Our relief manning system allows us to operate in this way, but also allows the work to continue.  After a short stay and change of half of the crew, we will be back to sea early next week.”

HMS Enterprise operates a watch rotation manning regime, allowing her company of 76 to regularly rotate with 50 personnel onboard at any one time. This class of warship is designed to provide the Royal Navy with modern hydrographic and oceanographic capabilities, provided by multi-beam echo sounders and an array of towed sensors for military data gathering.

During her deployment a variety of charity events took place to raise money for the Primrose Cancer Ward at Derriford hospital in Plymouth – HMS Enterprise’s nominated charity. Among these events were the dry land ‘Row the Suez’ challenge which raised £170.

Another highlight was the race against time that tested the mental agility of sailor Rolly ‘Roulston undertook the physical test to see how many times he could complete a Rubiks Cube during the 11-hour transit.

While most people would probably be happy to complete a few dozen cubes in this period he solved the colourful conundrum in an astonishing 574 times in 10.5 hours, raising another £160 in the process.
[mappress]
Source: royal-navy, June 15, 2011;