HMS Severn Acts as Starting Ship for Tall Ships Regatta

Royal UK Navy patrol vessel HMS Severn has sailed from Falmouth after leading the start of the annual Falmouth to Greenwich Tall Ships Regatta.

Acting as the starting platform on Sunday, she hosted the race committee and local VIPs for the yearly event hosted by Sail Training International.

More than 100,000 people gathered in Falmouth to watch the spectacular show which featured 43 tall ships from around the world crossing the start line, including 11 large ‘square rigged’ vessels followed by other smaller schooners and sloops.

Lieutenant Commander Steve Banfield, Commanding Officer of HMS Severn and a veteran of tall ship sailing, said: “It was privilege and an honour to act as the starting ship for the race and to host the dignitaries onboard HMS Severn.

It was the fifth time that Falmouth has hosted the tall ships since they first visited in 1966 and HMS Severn blasted her siren to officially start the race. The ship’s company then had an enviable view as the tall ships began to sail past on their way to Greenwich for the culmination of the race.

As the ships left the port they were also treated to the sight of Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship RFA Gold Rover which was making her way back into port at Falmouth following a short visit to Dublin.

HMS Severn, which is one of three Fishery Protection Squadron vessels, has now returned to her core role of Maritime Enforcement and Fishery Protection along the south coast.