NAVY NEWS, DECEMBER 2009 17
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“What made the scene even more menacing The ship’s football and rugby teams
were the remains of the abandoned houses where accepted the challenge thrown down
previous eruptions have forced residents to fl ee to by local sides. The footballers won 2-1;
safety, leaving a ‘no-go zone’ on the island.” despite a valiant effort from the rugby
There was nothing quite as spectacular in Anguilla squad, they lost 10-0.
– but there was another drugs bust. “The game got under way after
Three members of Royal Anguillian Police Force some torrential rain, which we thought
climbed into Charger to look for drugs plantations. would act in our favour,” explained
They found one, growing marijuana, and promptly PO ‘George’ Logan, Iron Duke’s rugby
destroyed it. manager.
The ship’s command team took part in a disaster Or maybe not – because a fumble in
relief exercise, simulating the aftermath of an diffi cult conditions meant the home team were 5-0
earthquake ten miles off the Anguillan coast. up after a torrid fi rst fi ve minutes.
Charger was used to conduct an island recce to That said for the rest of the half, the Iron Ducks
“The Americans were very
assess damage caused held their own, defending
friendly, Fort Lauderdale itself was really
by the earthquake, giving their line superbly and forging
atmospheric, and it was defi nitely one
the governor, director of “Flying right up to an breaks which might have
of the best runs ashore I have had in the
disaster management brought scores but for a few
Royal Navy,” enthused LET(WE) Mike
and the ship’s CO the
active volcano was both an
minor mistakes.
Davies.
ability to assess Anguilla’s
awe-inspiring and surreal
As it was, it was the locals
The fun done, it was back to counter-
vulnerable areas. The who bagged the second –
narcotics patrol – but one with a
exercise also included
experience which will probably
and deciding – try.
difference.
a look at several of the
never be repeated.”
Nevertheless, says
Commander-in-Chief Fleet Admiral
relief centres and relief George, the sailors “gave
Sir Trevor Soar joined the ship for the
distribution points. – Lt Dan Williams their all. An enjoyable
fi rst day of that patrol, learning more
And so to the British evening and the team
about the frigate’s work in the region.
Virgin Islands – “one of are well-practised for the
Lastly to Trinidad and Tobago,
the highlights of the deployment to date”, says next encounter.”
pretty much the last port of call on this
Lt Cdr Hoather. It is “a small friendly island with The ship’s basketball team – still in their infancy –
deployment on the left-hand side of
beautiful beaches and strong ties to the United were outclassed by the national team, but both sides
The Pond.
Kingdom”. thoroughly enjoyed the match.
As with many other Caribbean
Iron Duke’s presence was particularly well received At each of the visits the ship held social functions
nations, the islands’ coastguard were
by the locals, especially the marine police with whom to engage the local community.
keen to learn from the frigate – and the
the ship took the opportunity to practise boat skills For decades, offi cial receptions on the fl ight deck
frigate was keen to take advantage of
and boarding techniques. have proved to be an effective way of spreading
local knowledge.
Another helicopter recce of the island for both word of the RN’s mission in the region. It’s been no
“The last few weeks have been
the local disaster management team and the police different on this deployment.
both successful and productive,” Cdr
resulted in the destruction of seven marijuana After three hectic days in Nassau – aside from
Stacey said emphatically.
plantations. filming that advert, there were several sports fi xtures,
“Iron Duke has been able to offer
Lt Tom Gell is Iron Duke’s boarding offi cer; he took community work repairing a children’s home, and
practical support and reassurance to
the local marine police through training exercises: a high-profi le offi cial reception marking the High
many of the UK’s overseas territories,
“All personnel were enthusiastic. The marine police Commissioner’s departure – it was off to Fort particularly working alongside the
added to their existing skills and also took away new Lauderdale, Florida, for a far more relaxing fi ve-day governments, local police and
boarding techniques. stand-off. disaster relief agencies.”
“They do not get much opportunity to practise Having laid on umpteen receptions around the Iron Duke’s busy – and record-
boarding larger vessels, so we went through the key Caribbean, how nice it was that the Navy League – a breaking – Caribbean deployment
steps involved and boarded Iron Duke. lobby group stressing the importance of naval power ends with the frigate’s return
“The police were very grateful and it was good to and the sea to fellow Americans – treated the Iron to Portsmouth just in time for
work with a new team.” Ducks to a reception in rig. Christmas.
pictures: la(phot) simmo simpson, frpu east
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