Portsmouth welcomes new Royal Navy warship HMS Trent into the city for the first time
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HMS Trent, the third of the Royal Navy’s new second-generation patrol ships, has sailed into the city for the first time.
The 2,000-tonne vessel’s arrival comes ahead of her bigger sister, HMS Clyde, which will be returning to Portsmouth tomorrow after 12 years in the south Atlantic guarding the Falklands.
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Hide AdLieutenant Commander James Wallington-Smith, Trent’s captain, said joining the fleet in Portsmouth was a huge moment for the ship and her crew.
He added: ‘It is a great privilege to be the ship's first commanding officer and I am proud of what has been achieved thus far.
‘Trent now enters the next phase which will see her develop into a warship, being made ready for sustained patrol operations in the new year.’
Trent's newest sailor, Sub Lieutenant Hugh Brook, was thrilled to be on the ship as she arrived in Portsmouth,
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Hide AdHe said: ‘It is an incredible experience to be part of HMS Trent's maiden voyage and I am looking forward to spending more time at sea driving the ship.”
Trent is one of five new second-generation patrol ships being built by the navy.
They are bigger, faster and more capable than their predecessors and can conduct operations from fishery protection, to anti-smuggling border patrols, counter-terrorism and counter-piracy
Operated by a crew of 40, there is space for a further 50 embarked troops or Royal Marines.
The ship’s flight deck can accommodate Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.
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