Royal Navy minehunter HMS Chiddingfold departs Portsmouth for Gulf joining HMS Penzance

HMS Chiddingfold departed Portsmouth Naval Base to begin a lengthy stint defending the critical sea lanes in the Middle East.

The warship is the first naval vessel to be deployed on a long-term mission since lockdown was announced 11 weeks ago.

The ‘Cheery Chid’ and her 47-strong crew will take the ship more than 5,000 nautical miles to Bahrain - having spent a period in strict isolation, to prevent coronavirus from infecting the ship.

Supported by Clyde-based HMS Penzance, the pair will relieve two of the four minehunters deployed on Operation Kipion - the mission to protect Gulf sea lanes from attack.

HMS Chiddingfold’s skipper Lieutenant Commander Tom Harrison, said the mission during the pandemic would put extra pressure on his crew - but insisted his team could hack the heat.

Speaking to The News, the 32-year-old dad-of-three said: ‘The crew have worked incredibly hard to get to this stage and I am hugely confident they will continue to perform to a high standard, particularly with the introduction of four-month deployments.

‘The atmosphere on board is excellent I have a fantastic group of sailors under my command.

‘They’re ready for the task of deploying during a global pandemic.’

The ship has recently come out of a huge multi-million pound refit to improve her equipment and living quarters.

She is equipped with a high-definition sonar, SeaFox underwater remotely operated vehicles and eight of the Royal Navy’s elite divers - who specialise in hunting out and destroying mines - and a raft of weapons, including a 30mm gun.

Leading Diver Michael Bell is among those tasked with destroying any mines if they’re found.

This mission will be the 30-year-old’s second to the Gulf. He said: ‘I absolutely love it out there. It’s great. It makes a change from serving in the North Sea – it’s warm, it’s clear. It’s still a demanding job but it’s rewarding.’

For Chichester lad Engineering Technician (Weapons Engineering) Ed Graeme, 27, it will be his first time deploying on an operational mission.

He will be in charge of maintaining the ship’s sophisticated sensors and weapons systems.

He said: ‘I’m excited to be deploying. It’s a little bit nerve-wracking but it’s an adventure. I’m really looking forward to it.’

Family gathered at Old Portsmouth’s Round Tower to wave the crew off.

Victoria Ryan, travelled with her husband Richard and son Matthew from Wales, to see off her boy Lieutenant William Gunter, who is the ship’s navigator.

She said: ‘This is his first deployment. There have been a lot of tears over the weekend but I’m really excited for him.

‘He has every emotion running through his body. He’s been excited and nervous. It’s the first time he has had to plan a route for the ship.’

Former Royal Engineer Tony Peach, 58, was there to wave off his old army friend’s son, Evan Floyd.

Tony, who was a Warrant Officer and served 31 years in the army, knows how tough long deployments can be.

He said: ‘Being in the army for 31 years I know how important farewells can be. My mate wasn’t able to make it down so he asked me to wave his son off as I live in Portsmouth. I’m so proud to be here.’

Carolann Hemy, 51, travelled from Northern Ireland to wave off her son Able Seaman Dylan Dreyer.

The deployment will be the 19-year-old’s first since transferring from the Royal Navy Reserves last year – and will see him celebrating his 20th birthday in the Gulf next month.

Carolann said: ‘This has been his dream since he was in school. He always wanted to join the navy. We’re so proud of him.’

Dylan’s younger brother Adam, 12, added: ‘I’ve got mixed emotions. I’m really happy he has deployed but I’m still sad to see him go.’

Crew 3 recently completed a strenuous operational sea training package on HMS Hurworth and moved onto Chiddingfold last month.

All navy crews deployed to the Gulf will now rotate every four months, rather than six.

It means the sailors have more time to continue collective or individual training.

The introduction of the new model has been welcomed by the crew. Leading Seaman Tom Watkins, 29, said: ‘It’ll allow me greater stability to plan my life more and improve my home life.’

In response to front line feedback about how the navy operates systems of crew rotation on vessels posted overseas, each minehunter assigned to Operation Kipion will be crewed by two of the eight crews in the squadron.

These crews will rotate in a four-months deployed, four-months back cycle for two years.

Additional measures have been placed upon the crew due to the Covid-19 outbreak, with tighter restrictions on port visits.

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