Minehunter goes on pirate mission on way to Middle East
A Portsmouth-based minehunter has arrived at her new home of Bahrain, where she will stay for the next three years.
HMS Middleton left Portsmouth on February 16 and sailed to the Arabian Gulf, taking part in counter-piracy and anti-maritime crime operations along the way.
Commanding Officer of HMS Middleton, Lieutenant Commander Richard Goldstone, said: 'On rounding the jetty there was a very warm welcome awaiting the ship.'
While sailing to Bahrain the ship patrolled the Internationally Recommended Transit Corridor (IRTC) or the 'motorway of the sea', in the Gulf of Aden, where all ships are funnelled into lanes so the international taskforce can protect them.
Lt Cmdr Goldstone added: 'Crew from all the ships in harbour as well as members of the mine warfare battle staff had turned out to witness the entry of the first ever singleton passage for a Hunt Class Op Telic minehunter. This was a massive achievement.'
During her week in the IRTC, there were several pirate attempts to hijack ships in the area, but none were successful.
The ship's company will work with other coalition and regional forces to improve their training and safeguard the seas.
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Friday 25 May 2012
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