HMS Scimitar Returns from Casablanca, Morocco

Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron Patrol Boat HMS Scimitar has recently returned from a visit to Casablanca.

As part of her annual training requirement, HMS Scimitar must conduct long range navigation training, this should be done out of her normal operating area and the 200 nautical mile journey provided such an opportunity.

“The visit to Casablanca was a fantastic opportunity to really test ourselves as professional mariners, it also gave us the chance to build upon our close friendship with our Moroccan allies”, said Lieutenant Rob Garner

The crew of 10 sailors and Royal Marines led by Commanding Officer HMS Scimitar, Lieutenant Rob Garner, travelled out into the Atlantic Ocean and down the African coastline to visit the busiest port in Morocco.

Her sister vessel HMS Sabre travelled to Tangiers for a Remembrance Service in November 2013 where she also completed mandatory training requirements.

Lieutenant Garner said: “The visit to Casablanca was a fantastic opportunity to really test ourselves as professional mariners, it also gave us the chance to build upon our close friendship with our Moroccan allies, we paid a visit to Casablanca Naval Base where I called upon General Elfalssi of the Moroccan Army and Colonel Majors Saadi and Bakadir who are both officers in the Moroccan Navy.”

On arrival Lieutenant Garner presented them with HMS Scimitar’s Crest which depicts the infamous Scimitar blade.

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Press Release, May 16, 2014; Image: Royal Navy