HMS Exploit Makes Short Trip to Gloucestershire

University boat HMS Exploit made the short trip from her home in South Wales up the River Severn to Gloucestershire for a weekend visiting her affiliated town. The patrol boat, which serves Birmingham’s universities, berthed in Sharpness docks, just a couple of miles from the small town of Berkeley.

The visit was overlaid on a typical sea weekend for the University Royal Naval Unit, which serves Birmingham’s centres of higher learning; a dozen students embarked for the trip up the historic border between England and Wales from Exploits home at Penarth marina, just outside Cardiff.

Once in Sharpness, which lies just a couple of miles north of Exploit’s affiliated town, the boat and crew enjoyed a full programme – ship open to visitors, tours for uniformed organisations such as the Guides, Brownies and Cubs whilst an official reception was held on Saturday night for VIPs from the town and area.

Various civic dignitaries were presented with HMS Exploit brass coins to remind them of the visit.

“The town challenged us to a game of skittles on Saturday night but sadly we lost. Their team included the mayor and skittles veterans, whilst we were all novices but we put up a strong fight,” said Amy Barnes, senior midshipman – roughly equivalent to first lieutenant – for the weekend.

Mid Holly Griffiths, supply officer and head chef for the visit, added:

“It was a logistical challenge buying, preparing and cooking the food for the 40 people invited to our official reception.

“We also forgot to order extra glasses, so the boss’s wife had to do an emergency glasses shop!”

Exploit welcomed around 200 members of the public aboard on a bitterly-cold December day. Sub Lt Mike Kenning took charge of the enthusiastic tour guides as they escorted the equally-enthusiastic public around P167.

LET(WE) Ned Kelly, the ship’s weapon’s engineer officer, added:

“The passage back down the River Severn on a crisp December day with blue skies overhead was particularly spectacular as we passed underneath both Severn Bridges.

“The students were able to practice their coastal navigation skills in the Severn whilst the CO navigated down the narrow channel.”

For Exploit’s ship’s company this was the sixth and final sea weekend of the pre-Christmas term; they’re now going on Christmas leave after a busy term and high-tempo Olympic operations off Weymouth.

Lt Si Shaw, Exploit’s Commanding Officer, said:

“The weekend showcased the best of Exploit and Birmingham URNU.

“From my Naval nurses to engineering bursars – and not forgetting my stalwart standing ship’s company of five – they all supported my command aim, but more importantly had fun.

“We’ve reinforced our links with our affiliated town and enjoyed the final sea weekend of term.”

“It’s extremely important to spread the Naval message in areas around the UK not normally visited by the larger Fleet units.

“Exploit and her 20 ship’s company did just that on behalf of Cdre Miller – our Naval Regional Commander in the West of England when we visited Berkeley.”

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Naval Today Staff, December 10, 2012; Image: Royal Navy