After two years in the Gulf, minehunter finally returns to Portsmouth
SHE has been in the blistering heat of the Arabian Gulf for the past two years.
But yesterday minehunter HMS Atherstone sailed past cheering crowds on the Round Tower as she made her way back home into Portsmouth Harbour.
The 800-tonne ship has had several different crews over the course of her time away and her homecoming was welcomed by around 150 family members in bright sunshine at Portsmouth Naval Base.
As the ship docked the Royal Marines Band from HMS Collingwood played and the 46-strong Ship's Company were cheered by the crowd.
Lt Richard Watsham, 25, was welcomed home by his girlfriend Marie Taylor.
He said: 'It's been great, I've been doing naval training and I've had the chance to see lots of countries in the Gulf.
'I have been up in the bridge for the entire time. This has been my longest deployment and we are quite a close-knit bunch.
'It's great to see my girlfriend and family again.'
Marie, 22, said: 'It's very emotional for me and I've had a few tears.
'There will now be lots of eating and relaxing over the next day or so!'
Lt-Cdr Gordon Ruddock, commanding officer of HMS Atherstone, who lives in Southsea, waved to his mother-in-law from the bridge as the minehunter passed the Round Tower.
He will soon fly out to New Zealand to meet his wife.
Speaking to The News just before Atherstone sailed into Portsmouth Harbour, he said: 'To be the team that brings her home is a very proud moment, it's a bit of a trip of a career.
'The Ship's Company are amazing. I could not be more pleased and proud to command a better bunch of boys. They have shown real grit and it's been a pleasure to command these guys.'
During her time in the Gulf Atherstone's main role was to support and reassure surrounding nations by providing security in their seas.
She was also the platform for which the UK's mine warfare community trained and honed their warm-water skills.
Diver Karl Atkin, 22, from Plymouth, was welcomed home by his dad Tom on the jetty.
Speaking about the deployment, Diver Atkin said: 'I've really enjoyed it. We have got a great bunch of lads here. We have been doing a lot of diving and the adrenaline keeps you going.'
His dad Tom, 49, who has also served in Atherstone during his own navy career, said: 'It's great to see him back, he's generally not the best at keeping in touch but he did ok this time.
'It's also nice he is serving in the same ship I did.'
Atherstone hosted representatives from a range of Gulf nations during her deployment and held exercises at sea with coalitions forces.
She has been relieved by HMS Middleton.
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Weather for Portsmouth
Friday 25 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 13 C to 25 C
Wind Speed: 22 mph
Wind direction: East
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Temperature: 13 C to 23 C
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