32 NAVY NEWS, SEPTEMBER 2007
R
Lt Sasha Hall
eady the Sea Boat
MFA Plane
T
rawler being checked
Across the water
● (l-r) Navigator Lt Sasha Hall takes a break from staring at the charts; a Marine Fisheries Agency aircraft on patrol over
the Irish Sea; Tyne prepares to launch her sea boat; ... which races across the sea; ... towards a trawler
On the trail of the Tyne team
O
N A bright but
showed the positions of other 20mm cannon – on the upper of up to 40 miles, I have nothing
bitterly cold
DON HALE was celebrated as ‘man of the year’ and vessels in the area, with colourful deck – which can be used for anti- but admiration to the boarding
and damp Bank
‘journalist of the year’ back in 2001 after a seven-
tags indicating their nationality, aircraft and a variety of purposes, crews for completing such a
diffi cult and often dangerous task.
Holiday Monday
year campaign as editor of the Matlock Mercury to
potential cargo, and positions both together with examining her two
The ship was also fi tted with
morning, instead of taking
successfully clear the name of Stephen Downing,
at that time and from four hours general purpose machine guns
earlier. This information allowed sited on either side of the bridge. a Ram Bow and semi-active roll
it easy and having a long
imprisoned for 27 years for a murder in Derbyshire the offi cers to assess and police The ship also carried a selection of stabilisation tank to give greater
lie in, or planning a relaxing
he did not commit. Today he edits North & Mid Wales
their movements and fi shing small arms including 9mm pistols, stability in rough seas. It was
however, a device that never
family day, I suddenly
Living and took up the offer to join HMS Tyne – and
capabilities. and SA80 rifl es.
convinced me, or indeed many
found myself wrapped
his nephew PO Neil McDermott – for a fi shery patrol
Other equally colourful screens Tyne’s two fast patrol boats
gave indications of the ocean could be launched within minutes other guests of its value as we
against the elements at
in the Irish Sea and Western Approaches. depth, water temperature, and and had water jet propulsion, experienced a good few days to
precise navigational links. Regular and were considered much faster fully test its capabilities.
5am on the bridge of HMS
radio contacts allowed Lt Moore and far more manoeuvrable than The days and nights passed
Tyne within a very wet
of the ship, the Tannoy called for about 20kts, with the boat crew and
and others to speak to the skippers conventional RIBs. very quickly with regular exercises
Swansea dockyard for a
immediate action with “hands her roaring engine, almost hitting
of a variety of fi shing ships During my time aboard, the each day including essential
fi ve-day operational tour.
to fi sh board stations”. I shared the water running, so to speak.
from Ireland, France, Belgium, boats were launched day and night, lifeboat drills, man overboard and
the compact two-berth cabin Within seconds she was away,
Germany and the Netherlands, as required, with offi cers boarding casualty claims, fi re and smoke
It is a long time since I have
with engineering Coxswain, PO bouncing across the heavy swell,
to request permission to some 25 vessels, while Tyne drills, engineering and electrical
seen that particular time of the
Andrew Skingley, a rather jovial just as a crackly radio message
board. herself covered a 500 breakdowns; combined with
morning, and after travelling by
and informative sailor, who also acknowledged an understanding
Part of their several top-speed, tactical fl y-bys
train to South Wales for much of
doubled as the ship’s doctor, of her mission.
role is the from Hawks.
the previous day, and a 3am start
dentist, policeman and fl ight Later that day, we
And on the fourth day, we
for embarkation, I was somehow
attendant. spotted HMS Exeter
watched with admiration: a four-
glad of the cold chill to keep
But, as I tried to stow my gear on manoeuvres
man lift from the quarterdeck – in
me awake as the ship carefully
nautical-
on the top bunk as the ship lunged, within a fi ring range.
a heavy thunderstorm – by the
negotiated the narrow locks and
mile range.
pitched and rolled, I opted to This gave a young
crew of a Sea King helicopter from
headed out to sea – and straight
I was able to
leave this diffi cult task for a while communications
RAF Valley on Anglesey (pictured,
into the teeth of challenging Force
go out on one
to rush back on deck to watch sailor the
left). The offi cers were travelling
7 and 8 gales – complete with
particular
the boat crew launch to attend a opportunity
to help open the new Maritime
severe weather warnings and some
mission
request to board and examine the to try out
Museum on the island and later
very rough seas.
attending some
papers, nettings and cargo of a his signalling
small fi shing
joined the ship back in port.
This also became a testing time large Belgian trawler somewhere techniques – in
ships off the Llyn
During my tour, we journeyed
for some other temporary guests on the distant horizon. order to maintain
Peninsula, when the
into the Atlantic, about 60 miles
of crewmembers, who clung on Despite the turbulent secrecy and radio silence.
weather was more favourable.
off the Scilly Isles, before returning
to anything and everything they conditions, the four-man boat On the bridge, Executive Offi cer
My journey was only about
via the Irish Sea and examining
could as the ship rocked and crew, aboard one of two Pacifi c 22 Lt Matthew Moore, navigator Lt
many vessels along the Welsh
rolled past the fast disappearing Mk11 RIBs, made the job look so Sasha Hall and some of her female
enforcement of national
three miles each way, where the
coastline to Holyhead.
Welsh coastline and away from the easy as they were slowly winched colleagues ga
and EU Fisheries legislation
mother ship rapidly vanished into
ve a brief summary
We also enjoyed two sheltered
protection of the Bristol Channel. down into the spectacular foaming
within British fi shing limits,
a blue haze as the offi cer in charge
of the highly sophisticated, state-
anchorages at Milford Haven,
Remarkably, as I was being waters.
working closely with the Dept of
quickly accelerated to speeds of
of-the-art civilian and military
close to the oil terminal and later
shown to my sparse cool cabin on I was amazed that HMS Tyne
the Environment, Fisheries and
up to 30kts – leaving me both
communication systems.
in Caernarfon Bay.
the lower deck towards the stern still maintained her top speed of
Rural Affairs (DEFRA).
exhilarated but soaking wet, and
A series of detailed radar screens
It was interesting to note that
hanging on for dear life!
It was interesting to chat with
during radio contacts with foreign
However, after watching several
the offi cers to hear their stories
ships, the offi cers adopted special
launches in some atrocious
about potential evasion by foreign
call signs such as Grey Rat, Tartan
conditions and patrolling outwards
ships, and the need for this
Tiger, White Rabbit, Blue Whale
protective service.
and the Silver Squirrel, with
It was also interesting that this
unique additional (confi dential)
Naval experience is also much in
TORQUAY Plymouth
references to indicate whether a
demand abroad, with one sailor
boarding party was in trouble or
just returning from a secondment
The Westgate Hotel
Chester Guest House
not.
with the Bermudan Navy, and his
Falkland Road, Torquay, TQ2 5JP
54 Stuart Road, Pennycomequick
The ship’s company consisted
tales of smugglers and pirates, and
4* quality accommodation. All rooms en-suite.
01752 663706
of 46 members including eight
a future role with the Germany
Licensed Bar, large car-park, close to seafront, 10-bedroom property short walk from
offi cers (male and female) – two
Navy.
shops & railway station. station/town centre. 5-minute drive from docks.
of which were under training –
I was also staggered by the
Lorraine & Paul Hemmings (ex-Navy) CTV. Tea/Coffee. Secure Parking. Garden.
01803 295350
Email: info@chesterplymouth.co.uk
nine senior ratings, and 26 junior
complete computerised push-
www.westgatehotel.co.uk
~ Families welcome ~ ratings.
button technology of this
WEB: www.chesterplymouth.co.uk Further information:
During my fi ve days aboard,
fascinating warship, which often
I shared the petty offi cers’ mess
resembled a top-class arcade game;
Weekend Breaks, Re-Unions 3 Craneswater Gate
and was given full access to all
and I was pleasantly surprised
Dockyard, HMS Victory, The Warrior, departments, and I was given the
by the genuine camaraderie and
119 High St, Old Portsmouth, PO1 2HW
Spinnaker Tower, Gun Wharf,
Southseas PO4 0NZ
opportunity to talk to crew, steer
hospitality offered by all ranks.
Pub, Restaurant, Quality B&B,
Gosport Ferry Submarine Museum. the ship and operate some of her
It was indeed a unique and
Competitive Rates
All other major attractions are within
tel: 02392 820097
military hardware.
enjoyable experience, and despite
walking distance. Previous guests always
HOLIDAY BREAKS
email: enquiries@
This included working her
some mixed weather and harsh
welcome to return.
WEEK-ENDS REUNIONS
conditions, I felt comforted to
Amberley (International) Guest House
Minutes from Dockyard, Station, Gunwharf
stmargarets-southsea.co.uk note that all is well with our Navy.
37 Castle Road, Southsea, Portsmouth PO5 3DE
Tel: 023 9283 0563 Fax: 023 9287 6389
Tel: 023 9282 7067 Fax: 023 9282 7095
www.stmargarets-southsea.co.uk
Email: aigh@btconnect.com www.dukeofbuckingham.com
SUPPORT YOUR CLUB
All booking requirements in writing only, enclosing £5 deposit on each
Friendly no smoking guest house.
Family Room. Enclose a S.A.E. for your receipt. All rooms ensuite inc. posh four poster.
ACCOMMODATION: For Service Personnel, their families and dependents
CTV, Tea/Coffee, CH. Parking
plus ex. serving personnel and R.N.A. members who may be visiting the Edgcumbe Guest House
Plymouth area.
50 Pier Street, West Hoe
FUNCTIONS: We cater for all types of functions at very competitive 01752 660675
prices. Ships Functions, Mess Parties, Wedding Receptions, Reunions of
enquiries@edgcumbeguesthouse.co.uk
www.edgcumbeguesthouse.co.uk
ships, past and present, we offer an ideal facility.
Royal Fleet Club
MALTA, MSIDA. Very central
Guest room in family house. All
rooms self catering with excellent
Morice Square, Devonport, Plymouth PL1 4PQ
facilities, TV, en suite. Extremely
Telephone inquiries only Plymouth 01752 562723
comfortable, Airport transfer,
ASK FOR QUOTATION, CONTACT THE MANAGER reasonable rates.
WITHOUT DELAY TO AVOID DISAPPOINTMENT
Tel/Fax 00356 21313797
0032_NN_Sept.indd 132_NN_Sept.indd 1 117/8/07 16:46:377/8/07 16:46:37
Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48