HMS Penzance Docks in New Base Port of Bahrain

HMS Penzance has completed a seven week transit, arriving in her new base port of Bahrain, a journey which covered 6,850 nautical miles in the Monsoon season.

She arrived in Bahrain and was met by Captain Philip Warwick, the Deputy United Kingdom Maritime Component Commander (UKMCC).

After a 47 day journey the 40-strong ship’s company then started to carry out the work the UK mine countermeasure force is renowned for – working with partners to ensure the security of sea lanes in the Gulf.

The voyage from Scotland was punctuated with port visits in Gibraltar and Malta before a period at the NATO facility in Souda Bay, Crete, where the ship was put through her paces testing her mine hunting capability.

Heat and humidity greeted the ship as she entered the Red Sea and visited the Egyptian Port of Safaga before continuing towards the Gulf of Aden and the Arabian Sea.

As Penzance continued eastwards, she crossed paths with HMS Quorn and HMS Ramsey on their way home.

The port visits to Salalah and Muscat in Oman provided a welcome break from the four metre swells and winds of the South West Monsoon.

Now alongside, the focus shifts to operational readiness and ensuring all on board are ready for their role on the frontline.

Commanding Officer of HMS Penzance, Lieutenant Commander Nick Unwin, said: “It’s been a long seven weeks but the team has done exceptionally well to ensure Penzance arrived here in Bahrain in as good a condition as she did.

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