12 May 2016
It has been five years since the British Royal Navy minehunter ‘HMS Shoreham’ last visited the Port. Staff and members of the community eagerly awaited her arrival and gave her crew a warm welcome as she sailed into port at around 5pm yesterday.
HMS Shoreham was launched by Lady Perowne on the 9th April 2001 and was formally accepted into service on the 28th November 2001. She is the fifth vessel to carry the name. Her role, and that of sister ship HMS Penzance and Hunts HMS Atherstone and Chiddingfold, is to safeguard the waters of the Gulf.
Royal Navy Commander and Liaison Officer of HMS Shoreham, Nick Chatwin commented “I am very pleased that HMS Shoreham’s programme has allowed her the opportunity to make a return visit to her affiliated town. These visits are particularly popular with the crew as it gives them the opportunity to rekindle and strengthen existing relationship while also building new ones.”
Julian Seaman, Harbour Master and Director of Marine Operations at Shoreham Port commented “We are pleased to see the safe return of HMS Shoreham from a previous active deployment. We hope they enjoy their stay within the Port and the ship’s crew enjoy visiting the local community.”
After arriving in thick fog yesterday, HMS Shoreham is now berthed in the sunshine along the Power Station Wharf. The vessel is clearly visible from the North Bank just off the A259 which is accessible via public steps down to the canal edge. Please keep a safe distance away from the water’s edge when visiting this area.
