New Portsmouth Royal Navy ship HMS Forth arrives in South Georgia for the first time

HMS Forth, based in Portsmouth, arrived in the Falklands on the turn of the year as the islands’ new patrol vessel.

But for the first time, the ship has made the 850-mile-trip across icy ocean waters to patrol around the remote region of South Georgia.

Several times a year she will head to South Georgia for a mix of military training, providing support to the island authorities and British Antarctic Survey scientists.

For this maiden visit, HMS Forth carried Brigadier Nick Sawyer, commander of British Forces South Atlantic Islands, and two dozen soldiers, air force personnel and civil servants.

After a 53-hour crossing, they were treated to the sight of Bird Island – popular with BBC wildlife documentary makers for its rich avian life – plus albatrosses, seals and whales.

Crew members have spoken of their enthusiasm about the trip, and the experiences they’ve picked up along the way.

Leading Engineering Technician Hannah Chenery said: ‘It was such a wonderful opportunity. I feel very privileged, but it was very cold swimming with seals and king penguins.’

Lieutenant Matt McGinlay added: ‘For many of us, South Georgia was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

‘The variety and abundance of wildlife on this remote, strictly-controlled island was fascinating.

‘Nature is slowly reclaiming the grounds of the whaling station.’

HMS Forth is the first of five second-generation River-class patrol vessels, assigned to the Royal Navy’s Overseas Patrol Squadron.

For the crew, the task is to reassure and protect the region, asserting the Royal Navy’s presence in the area.

The ship’s commanding officer, Commander Bob Laverty, said: ‘The visit was a good opportunity to meet key personalities, integrate and begin to build the bonds of friendship.

‘We introduced Forth to the area, integrated with local officials and scientists, and conducted reconnaissance to update our military understanding of the islands.’

The state-of-the-art vessel was deployed to the Falklands in November last year.