Ploughing through seas whipped up by the monsoon season, HMS Iron Duke and St Albans perform a traditional sail past in the Indian Ocean as one Portsmouth-based frigate hands over Gulf duties to another.

The two ships – Iron Duck on the left here, the Saint on the right – saluted each other with jets of water, a few banners of ribald encouragement, and quite a few matelots in fancy dress on the outgoing Type 23… including Iron Duke’s own Kate Winslet complete with bright red ‘dress’, ginger hair… and a bit of paunch right at the bow.