The Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessel (MCMV) HMS Brocklesby will visit Torbay on Friday (June 21) for the start of a three-day regional engagement programme, and in particular, to support the town’s Armed Forces Day events.
The Royal Navy warship will anchor off the town from 5pm on Friday night before setting sail again late on Sunday afternoon.
In between time, her commanding officer, Lieutenant Commander Stuart Yates and his ship’s company have a busy schedule, including:
• A reception and capability demonstration for 50 invited guests and dignitaries • Involvement in an Armed Forces Covenant Action Plan signing at the Babbacombe Inn • Taking part in a Veterans and Cadets Parade in honour of Armed Forces Day • Joining in at the Babbacombe Palm Festival party • Hosting a Commanding Officer’s Lunch reception on board for invited guests
The highlight of her short stay off Torbay comes on Saturday when, between the hours of 10am and 4pm the ship will be open to tours by the public, a unique opportunity to sample life on board a modern mine-hunter and to talk to the crew about their experiences.
Access is by boat transfer which will be strictly controlled. Tickets are available at a beach pontoon on Oddicombe Beach for the short transit – passengers should note that all transfers are subject to short notice withdrawal and that access will not be suitable for those with restricted mobility.
HMS Brocklesby recently took part in the first Exercise Joint Warrior of 2013, a multi-national exercise held bi-annually in UK waters with allied nations and their armed forces, in company with HMS Hurworth, HMS Pembroke and HMS Grimsby.
HMS Brocklesby is one of eight Hunt-class MCMVs based in Portsmouth.
Built by Vosper Thornycroft from glass re-inforced plastic, she was launched in 1982 and commissioned 13 months later. The third ship to bear the name, she won her most recent battle honours clearing sea-lanes in to Umm Qasr in Iraq during Operation Telic in 2003.
[mappress] Press Release, June 20, 2013; Image: Royal Navy