A Royal Navy warship has been carrying out emergency response operations in the Gulf as part of its maritime security patrol.
Plymouth-based HMS Monmouth has been helping fishermen and other mariners in need of assistance, while providing reassurance that the Royal Navy and other coalition warships in the area are there to keep the region free of piracy.
The visits to boat are conducted by the ship’s boarding team, consisting of volunteers from the ship’s company, in conjunction with the boarding team of Royal Marines. During these visits to boats the boarding teams will discuss challenges faced by small boats in the region and can also learn valuable grass-roots information the ship’s radars and methods are unable to detect. Remotely.
Deputy Logistics Officer and boarding officer, Lieutenant Chris Marsden, said: “Over the course of an average day we will conduct between five and 20 approach and assist visits to fishing and trading dhows of various sizes.
“The boats’ crews are generally pleased to see us and we are often able to help out by providing them with supplies and information ranging from deteriorating weather conditions to the latest cricket scores.
“In return, the crews are able to provide us with details of any suspicious activity in the area, which we can then act upon.”
Source: http://bfbs.com
