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MERSEY BEAT

JANUARY 2012

ABOUT MERSEYMERSEY is one of three Ships which make

up the RNs Fishery Protection Squadron

enforcing UK and EU fisheries legislation in

order to ensure the long term sustainabilityof the UK fishing grounds. In addition, the

three UK based Ships are the only warships

on permanent patrol around the UK,

contributing to the policing of UK waters

and delivering an intrinsic element of the

UKs Maritime Security.

IN THIS ISSUE2011 ended just as it had begun with a busy

and challenging programme for HMS

MERSEY. This issue features our successful

period of Shakedown and Directed

Continuation Training as well as a report on

our exploits throughout the past twelve

months.

December brought the news that MERSEY

had been awarded the Fleet Efficiency

Pennant, a great way to end 2011 and a

well earned recognition of the efforts put in

by the team this year.

TEAM MERSEY PULLS TOGETHER FOR A

SUCCESSFUL END TO 2011

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MERSEY PUT THROUGH HER PACES IN TRAINING CHALLENGE

After a busy few months of fishery protection patrols off the east coast of the UK, MERSEY returned to Portsmouth for an intenseperiod of training and assessment. The Ships Company were put through their paces in a wide range of serials both under thedirection of internal assessors as well as visiting staff from Flag Officer Sea Training (FOST) based in Faslane.

The week was split between a period of shakedown and directed continuation training; MERSEY hit the ground running as theShips Company were faced with fires, floods, damage control and casualties and in the most serious cases multi-incident scenarios

featuring a mixture of all four. River Class Offshore Patrol Vessels function with a uniquely small number of personnel for the size ofShip and meeting the challenge of internal incidents whilst maintaining the ability to perform our operational role is one whichrequires good depth of knowledge and a whole-ship, teamwork centred approach to our work.

Operating in the inshore areas around Portsmouth and the Isle of Wight during these evolutions provided an ideal environment forMERSEYs bridge team to train in pilotage and other navigation serials. They simulated poor weather, technological interference, aswell as dealing with the obstacles presented by the busy shipping traffic and constrained waters found in the area.

MERSEYs seaboat plays the part of an enemy craft Ships Company work with wires and shackles to secure the ship to a buoy.

With the arrival of FOST staff the focus of the training moved away from damage control and fire fighting to focus on other areas.

MERSEY responded to a simulated attack from a fast moving boat exercising evasive driving techniques as well as upper deck

weapons drills. The Ship was not only attacked at sea, the staff simulated an invasion by an armed intruder who was successfully

apprehended by the Ships Reaction Force. However we had not heard the last from him, the staff returned later to announce he

had left an explosive device onboard and then observed our response to the incident, assessing evacuation and search techniques.

The Seamanship Specialists onboard were crucial to the success of the final days of our training as we conducted a number of

serials in their area of expertise. We secured to a buoy in Portsmouth harbour in what is a complex operation involving the whole

Ships Company in manhandling ropes and wires passed to the buoy by seaboat. On the final day we faced strong winds but were

not deterred as we carried out a number of towing evolutions providing an opportunity for many of the Junior Rates within the

Seamanship department to take charge of teams providing valuable leadership training and experience.

Overall the week was testing and packed full with as many serials as could be fitted into the time period available; MERSEY

performed to a high standard throughout and the whole team worked together to meet the challenges presented to us.

DCT featured a number of challenging serials for the bridge team Firefighting and Medical teams played a big part during Shakedown and DCT

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EFFICIENCY AWARD RECOGNISES A GREAT YEAR FOR MERSEY

Followers of this newsletter will know what a busy year 2011 was for HMS MERSEY. The Ships Company have

worked tirelessly to perform to the highest standard throughout and it was a great honour for their efforts to be

acknowledged with the award of the Fleet Efficiency Award for Offshore Patrol Vessels. MERSEY was honoured

alongside illustrious company such as HMS LIVERPOOL, who was engaged in Naval Gunfire Support close to Libyas

coastline whilst under enemy fire. This is a reflection of the commitment, professionalism and determination shown by

MERSEY in what has been a varied and challenging yet thoroughly rewarding year.

Rear Admiral Potts presents Lt Cdr Anderson with the Fleet Offshore Patrol Vessel Efficiency Trophy

During the past 12 months MERSEY has effectively patrolled UK and European waters enforcing Fisheries legislation,

her Marine Enforcement Officers have discovered countless infringements and ensured that punitive measures were

taken against serious offenders. Two of the worst cases have resulted in the detention of the vessels in question,

setting the standard for the Royal Navys Fishery Protection efforts. On land the Ships Company have been involved

in a number of high profile visits to ports around the country; none more so than the tremendously successful visit to

Canary Wharf in London to play a leading role in the launch of the Poppy Appeal for 2011, MERSEYs efforts helped

raise tens of thousands of pounds towards a great cause. Back at sea the Ship has provided a continuous maritime

security presence around UK waters, patrolling vigilantly and providing assistance wherever it was needed. On two

occasions this year MERSEY has come to the aid of mariners in distress, there was the case of the fishing vessel

piloted into port by MERSEYs First Lieutenant after the Skipper was taken ill and that of the Dutch yachtsman

rescued from a drifting life raft in the North Sea after his yacht exploded.

The Fleet Efficiency Pennant will fly on HMS MERSEY for the coming year,

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IT WOULDNT BE CHRISTMAS WITHOUT TURKEY AND ALL THE TRIMMINGS

As all onboard counted down the last days until Christmas there was time for one more item on the Ships calendar, the Ships

Company Christmas meal was held in the Junior Rates Dining Hall and included all the messes. It was like any other Christmas

dinner, with turkey, stuffing, Christmas cake, Christmas pudding... however this one had a difference. As is traditional in the Royal

Navy the meal was prepared, cooked and served by the Wardroom for the rest of the ship. All the Officers helped out, directed of

course by the chefs onboard without whom the end result surely would have been somewhat less successful. Std Wilson employed

a small army of SFT YOs to deck the Dining Hall out suitably for the festive occasion complete with Santa hats and crackers for all.

The night was enjoyed by everyone and rounded off HMS MERSEYs 2011 in style.

SLt Davey serves the drinks to the Chippy and the Coxswain

The CO is joined by the Chef Bonar and Leading Chef Dewing Ships Company gathertogether for the Christmas Meal

ET LUCE RUNS (and rows.... and cycles) AWAY WITH VICTORY

MERSEY may be smaller than many Ships in the fleet and with fewer numbers; however she is lucky to have a

gym that most big Ships would be proud of. Despite the relentless pace of life for many onboard during a patrol, the

Ships Company take full advantage of the facilities with many embarking on a variety of new fangled training

regimes whilst at sea. As with many things in the RN, performance in the gym comes complete with the friendly

scent of competition and it was with this in mind that the MERSEY 10K Challenge was launched. The aim of the

contest, held over two patrols to allow full participation from all watches, was to cover 10km using the various

fitness equipment onboard. More specifically entrants had to cover 5km by bike, 3km on the treadmill as well as a

2km row in the fastest possible time to be declared the winner. ET(ME) Chris Luce completed the challenge in a

winning time of 26 minutes and 38 seconds, he was presented with his prize by the Commanding Officer Lt Cdr

Anderson during a brief pause in the Ships programme before the Christmas break.

Lt Cdr Anderson presents ET Luce with his prize