Following 12 months out on deployment, the crew of the HMS Mersey are to return to the UK next month.
The patrol ship left Portsmouth in January last year, setting off for the Caribbean before making her way east to the Mediterranean and then on to the Aegean.
With a ship’s company of only 52, Mersey’s deployment has seen the River-class ship sail 38,000 miles visiting 31 ports in 19 countries over three continents.
She has welcomed presidents, ambassadors, heads of Armed Forces and 350 schoolchildren but has also played in a key role in supporting he NATO-led operation to combat the migration crisis.
This support was a part of the UK’s commitment to combatting illegal people trafficking and migration in the region.
Mersey worked with Standing NATO Maritime Group 2, led by the German Bremen-class frigate FGS Karlsruhe and then by the Dutch light cruiser HMLMS De Ruyter.
NATO says the operation in the Aegean resulted in an 80% drop in the number of migrants trying to reach Greece and Turkey.
Due to its size, 80m in length and a draft of less than five metres, the offshore patrol vessel was able to provide the NATO taskforce with an enhanced ability to work closer to the shore.
The Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 collaborated closely with Greek and Turkish coastal authorities, alerting them to sightings of migrant vessels and enabling them to turn the vessels back or preventing them from attempting the dangerous crossing in the first place.
Mersey deployed to the Aegean from the Caribbean where she was on counter-narcotic operations.
In April she played a key role alongside the Canadian Navy and US coastguard in a £12 million drugs bust where 304kg of drugs were seized.
Mersey also reinforced trade links with Central America and reaffirmed relationships with foreign partners, including the Mexican Navy.
image (c) crown copyright
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Post written by: Promark Media Ltd
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