UK: Busy Year for Portsmouth-Based Minehunter

Portsmouth-based minehunter HMS Cattistock has just completed operations off Scotland to help protect busy shipping lanes.

The ship and her 42 crew carried out route survey operations for two weeks in the approaches to the Clyde Estuary.

It was part of ongoing work by the Royal Navy to survey the UK’s busiest shipping lanes to keep merchant traffic safe.

The operation rounded off a busy few months for the ship and her crew.

The year started with an intense programme of training which culminated in a visit from Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) staff in February to ensure the ship was ready to carry out her operations off Scotland.

A few days later the ship staged training for mine warfare students and staff from the shore base HMS Collingwood at Fareham, allowing them to put their classroom work into practice at sea.

The fast pace continued on returning to Portsmouth from Scotland. Cattistock embarked on another week of mine countermeasures training – this time for future mine warfare officers.

Lieutenant Matt Teare, the ship’s second in command and an experienced mine warfare officer, said:

“It’s always a proud occasion getting the chance to pass our knowledge on to the future mine warfare officers.

“The Royal Navy is a world-leader in mine countermeasures and it’s our challenge to ensure we maintain that proud status.”

Next up is a visit to her namesake village in Dorset. The ship will berth at nearby Poole from Monday – when she will support the launch of Bournemouth Air Festival – until Thursday.

[mappress]
Naval Today Staff, April 3, 2014; Image: US Navy