One of the Royal Navy’s smallest warships has returned to base in time for Christmas after spending more than three years on security operations in the Gulf.
The 45-strong crew of HMS Atherstone were greeted with an emotional welcome from loved ones and friends as the minehunter pulled alongside at Portsmouth Naval Base.
The vessel has been based in Bahrain for three years and seven months, with her current crew taking over in July this year.
The warship has covered 51,220 nautical miles, conducted more than 8,630 hours of operational tasking and visited 12 countries across three continents.
Lieutenant Commander Mark Headley, the ship’s commanding officer, from Gosport, Hampshire, was welcomed home by his wife Cecily and sons Peter, eight, and Olly, six.
He said: “Our homecoming is a fantastic finale to a highly successful six months deployed upholding the UK’s reputation of operating some of the finest front-line mine warfare forces in the world, together with building partner capabilities and reassuring other nations.
“To bring HMS Atherstone back to Portsmouth three years and seven months after she set sail for deployment is a rare privilege within the mine countermeasures community.
“Arriving home in time for Christmas is obviously a huge bonus and my crew can now enjoy some well-earned rest and leave.”
Petty Officer Matthew Cable, 35, from Plymouth, Devon, was met by wife Katie, 37, and daughter Maisie, three.
He said: “It feels very good to be back, it’s been a long time away, it’s excellent to have got home just in time for Christmas.”
Petty Officer Gary Belcher, from Ramsgate, Kent, was met by wife Rachel and daughter Molly, six months.
He said: “It’s fantastic, it’s a great feeling, it was the first time I had to leave my daughter so it’s great to be back.”
Petty Officer Simon Harland, from Fareham, was met by wife Nicola and daughters Alivia, four, and Niamh, 19 months. He said: “It’s great and emotional to be back.”
HMS Atherstone sailed from Portsmouth in May 2012 to help ensure security and stability in an area that contains three of the world’s six maritime chokepoints.
A Royal Navy spokesman said: “Four UK minehunters work with regional allies and international organisations to help promote partnerships and improve the global community’s ability to maintain freedom of navigation in one of the world’s busiest areas of water.
“Atherstone’s role included conducting route surveys, sea-bed clearance and mine clearance operations throughout the Gulf region to protect busy shipping lanes.
“She also provided a visible naval presence in an area which supplies much of the UK’s oil and gas and therefore vital to the country’s economy.”
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