Royal Navy's new patrol ship declared 'fighting fit' as she flexes muscles with Royal Marines

MILITARY assessors have declared one of Royal Navy’s newest warships ‘fighting fit’ after flexing her muscles with the Royal Marines at sea.
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Portsmouth-based HMS Tamar received the thumbs up from naval top brass as she served as a springboard for Commandos to board, subdue and search suspect vessels in the Channel

Mike Company from 42 Commando in Bickleigh, near Plymouth, and specialist boat drivers from 47 Commando in Devonport Naval Base, plus a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron joined Tamar, while survey ship HMS Echo served as her foil.

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The Marines carried out training raids on a Brittany Ferry passenger vessel off the south coast.

HMS Tamar conducted training exercises at sea with Royal Marines and a Wildcat helicopter.  HMS Tamar worked with HMS Echo in order to conduct Royal Marine boarding training as part of her work up prior to deploying.HMS Tamar conducted training exercises at sea with Royal Marines and a Wildcat helicopter.  HMS Tamar worked with HMS Echo in order to conduct Royal Marine boarding training as part of her work up prior to deploying.
HMS Tamar conducted training exercises at sea with Royal Marines and a Wildcat helicopter. HMS Tamar worked with HMS Echo in order to conduct Royal Marine boarding training as part of her work up prior to deploying.
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Tamar and her four sisters in the second generation of River-class offshore patrol vessels have been designed to tackle everything from drugs gangs to terrorists,

Equipped with a sizeable flight deck and accommodation for up to 50 Marines or soldiers, Tamar and her sister ships will carry out maritime security patrols across the globe.

HMS Medway has already struck against drug-runners in the Caribbean and HMS Trent has supported Nato security operations in the Mediterranean.

Specialist Royal Marines pictured pursuing the Armorique Ferry as it approached Plymouth Sound during an exercise. Photo: Royal NavySpecialist Royal Marines pictured pursuing the Armorique Ferry as it approached Plymouth Sound during an exercise. Photo: Royal Navy
Specialist Royal Marines pictured pursuing the Armorique Ferry as it approached Plymouth Sound during an exercise. Photo: Royal Navy
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‘The bangs for your buck that you get out of these ships is remarkable,’ said Lieutenant Commander Hutchinson, Tamar’s captain. ‘Each week we learn a little bit more about what these ships can do.

‘The whole point of the River-class is that you can “bolt on” capability: add a helicopter, some humanitarian aid, a Royal Marines detachment. The Commandos can rock up, eat and sleep in their own mess, prepare their kit and do the business.’

Tamar was declared operational in the summer after the fastest generation of any major Royal Navy vessel in recent times – six months from lifeless hull to working warship.

Marines practised boarding a ferry after launching from HMS Tamar. Photo: Royal NavyMarines practised boarding a ferry after launching from HMS Tamar. Photo: Royal Navy
Marines practised boarding a ferry after launching from HMS Tamar. Photo: Royal Navy

Her long-term patrol zone has yet to be determined, so in the meantime she’s safeguarding and training in home waters.

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As part of a shake-up of how the Senior Service operates, naval chiefs are focusing on small, stealthy raiding groups that can rapidly deploy green berets around the globe.

‘The Royal Marines have really got stuck in during their time on board. Not only have their actions been exemplary when they’ve been conducting boarding operations, but they’ve also got stuck in to help out my ship’s company, down to cleaning the dishes generally assisting on board,’ Lt Cdr Hutchinson added.

Assessors from the navy's fleet operational sea training team were impressed by the Tamar/Commando combination and cleared the ship for front-line operations.

Royal Marines clamber off HMS Tamar to carrying out a boarding exercise. Photo: Royal NavyRoyal Marines clamber off HMS Tamar to carrying out a boarding exercise. Photo: Royal Navy
Royal Marines clamber off HMS Tamar to carrying out a boarding exercise. Photo: Royal Navy

She’s now gearing up for further training, this time with the Royal Navy’s new small Puma surveillance drones from 700X Squadron.

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