Mersey given a warm welcome in Caribbean

SAILORS from Portsmouth helped the British Virgin Islands mark the 50th anniversary of the Queen's visit to the overseas territory.
By The Newsroom
Published 10th May 2016, 16:12 BST
Updated 10th May 2016, 17:17 BST
HMS Mersey has completed her visit to Tortola in the British Virgin IslandsHMS Mersey has completed her visit to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands
HMS Mersey has completed her visit to Tortola in the British Virgin Islands

River-class patrol ship HMS Mersey called in at Tortola where the ship’s company, wearing their tropical number one uniforms, marched through the capital Road Town.

They were joined by the Royal Virgin Island Police Force, which fired a 21-gun salute, and children from the local Army Cadet Corps.

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The parade was watched by locals and the Governor John Duncan and Premier of the island Orlando Smith.

During her visit, Mersey welcomed aboard local children and adults for a tour, which took place during some tropical downpours.

Four sailors spent the day helping workers at the JR O’Neal Botanical Gardens repair gravel paths.

The islands, which comprise four main islands and about 50 other smaller ones, are one of six overseas territories in the Caribbean.

Home to a large number of British expats, several welcomed Mersey’s sailors to their homes, swimming pools and yachts during the visit.

Mersey’s next port of call is Martinique.

Related topics:SailorsPortsmouthQueenCaribbean