Newsletter July

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HMS LANCASTER Newsletter ISSUE 4 | July 13 A Message from Commander Steve Moorhouse, Commanding Officer Building on from our successful start to the deployment Lancaster continues to impress as she visits the islands of the Caribbean. Her capability together with her professional crew make a strong, effective and inspiring force in the region. As the hurricane season nears we remain ready to respond to whatever challenge awaits in the true Lancaster fashion.

Helping the Community

CPO(AWW) Thompson leading a team to replace a roof for a local in Montserrat.

Boarding training

Teams of sailors from every department on Lancaster have been putting their time and skills to good use in every port they visit. The teams go out into the community and take on projects such as re-roofing houses that were in a very bad state and in dire need of replacing as well as painting hospitals and sheltered accommodation for the elderly.

As Lancaster approaches the counter narcotic phase of her deployment her boarding team have been in action training for when they are called upon to board and search a vessel suspected of illegally smuggling drugs. Assets from the British Virgin Islands police marine unit were utilised as Lancaster set sail following a four day visit to the island of Tortola. Lancaster’s boarding team were activated, closed and boarded the police vessel in order to practice their procedures whilst also supplying training to the local police

Navigation training The stunning collection of mountainous islands that make up the British Virgin Islands provided an ideal opportunity for Lancaster’s warfare officers to practice their navigation skills in confined waters.

Football Coaching During a short visit to Anguilla Lancaster provided local children with grassroots football coaching. Organiser LPT Robinson selected 3 members of the football team to help out, with ET(ME) Kenny Fitzpatrick, AB Liam Coleman and AB James Smalley, all eager to deliver.

People at Work

Sports Corner Lancaster’s sportsmen continue to battle local teams on the field of sport with the greatest successes coming from the ship’s football team. The ‘Red Rose’ team have had recent wins in Grand Turk and the British Virgin Islands whilst achieving a 1-1 draw in Montserrat. Lancaster’s Rugby and cricket teams continue to develop and gel as a team, showing improved performances in their recent matches. The players have now become accustomed to the heat to which the locals are used to and it is only a matter of time before the victories come rolling in.

LET McCrae controlling the engines in the Ship’s Control Centre

Montserrat saw the introduction of a new sport to the deployment with Lancaster’s volleyball team taking on the national side and even though they were not successful a good performance was put in by all.

Capability Demonstrations

Ship’s Doctor, Surg Lt Seb Foster, giving training to Anguillan Fire and Rescue service

As Lancaster’s primary role in the Caribbean is the reassurance and security of British Overseas Territories we have been providing training to the local emergency and security services on the islands. Members of the ship’s company have been providing training in fields such as essential first aid after a disaster, basic communications when conventional services go down, boat driving and navigation in the marine environment as well as logistical support.

CPO(CS) Hill ensuring the ship’s company are always well fed.

At Anchor Some of the islands Lancaster has visited recently, like Anguilla and Montserrat, have been so small that the ship has been going to anchor off the coast and using it’s sea boats to transfer people to the shore.