Portsmouth welcomes HMS Diamond home after anti-trafficking mission

HMS Diamond arrived back in Portsmouth yesterday.

The Type 45 Destroyer was deployed to tackle trafficking in the central Mediterranean.

She was dispatched in August to support a United Nations Security Council Resolution and the EU Naval Force to stop weapons reaching Libya.

The ship carried out surveillance of shipping off Libya.

Her Royal Navy and Royal Marines boarding team searching small vessels hunting for weapons and ammunition, while her Wildcat helicopter provided cover.

Her ship’s company found no arms during the two-month patrol.

On Tuesday she handed over the job to RFA Mounts Bay.

Commander Marcus Hember, commanding officer, said: ‘Diamond has made a vital contribution to the effort here in the Mediterranean.

‘It is important that we not only contribute to the efforts to help the people of Libya, but that we also try to address the root causes of these problems.

‘We have certainly contributed to that effort in our time here, dramatically improving our understanding of maritime activity in the region.’