HMS Somerset arrives in isles
Ryan Taylor
Shetland is playing host to the prestigious Royal Navy vessel HMS Somerset.
The 4,500 tonne Type 23 anti-submarine frigate – one of 13 in the fleet – has berthed at Lerwick Harbour.
Her commanding officer, Michael Wood, said the ship was stopping off in Lerwick on her way to take part in a Nato anti-submarine exercise, Dynamic Mongoose, aimed at increasing anti-submarine skills and training.
“We’re stopping off along the way. It’s fantastic for us not only to see the Shetlands, to meet the people and let them see their ship and also to get fuel and stores on the way,” he said.
He added the ship, due to stay in port until Sunday, was kept at readiness in UK waters for a range of activities, including search and rescue, intelligence-led counter narcotics operations and counter-terrorism operations.
It is also regularly involved in the escort of modern Nato warships through UK waters.
“For any range of contingencies, the ship is ready to respond at short notice,” Commander Wood added.
• The Shetland Times was given a guided tour of the vessel, as well as an opportunity to speak to key personnel. To read our full coverage, see next week’s paper. In the meantime enjoy this time-lapse video of the vesel’s Merlin helicopter being manoeuvred onto the deck, also published on our YouTube channel.
John M Scott
It is not ‘THE’ HMS Somerset, as the title of the photograph of the ship suggests, it is just HMS Somerset. There is no need to use the definite article for one of Her Majesty’s ships