Mersey patrols the Aegean on the look out for migrant activity. ABOUT MERSEY Mersey is one of three ships which make up the Royal Navy s Fishery Protection Squadron enforcing UK and EU fisheries legislation in order to ensure the long term sustainability of UK fishing grounds. The three UK based ships also contribute to policing of UK waters and delivery of the UK s Maritime Security. Mersey is currently on OP BUCKTAIL in the Aegean. SINCE OUR LAST ISSUE Mersey has continued her involvement in OP BUCKTAIL as part of NATO efforts to stem the flow of migrants across the Aegean Sea from Turkey into Greece. Mersey visited Volos on the Greek mainland for a standoff, where Commander William Peters handed command of Mersey back to Lieutenant Commander Richard Hewitt.
Summary Mersey has had another successful month on patrol in the Aegean Sea, deterring migrant activity and ensuring the safety of lives at sea in the narrow waters between Turkey and Greece. The Ship also had two well-deserved standoff weekends in Volos in northern mainland Greece and in Soudha Bay on the Greek island of Crete. New Joiners and Leavers Mersey welcomes the following new personnel who have joined since our last issue: Chaplain Richard Ellingham The Chaplain ( Bish ) for the Mine-Countermeasures and Fishery Protection squadrons joins Mersey for a patrol. Lt Jamie Frankie Vaughan The Ship s Senior Engineering Officer. SLt Alex Winterton Mersey s newest Officer of the Watch under training. POET(ME) Aron Scobie Taking over the role of Chief Shipwright. LET(WE) Owen Phillips Bolstering the Weapons Engineering team on board. AB(SEA) Chris Mackins Mersey s latest addition to the Seaman Specialist branch. The Ship bids farewell to the following personnel: Cdr William Peters and Lt Nathan Geddes, both of whom return to their roles within the Fishery Protection Squadron; and SLt Lewis Jones, who returns to HMS ARTFUL and the Submarine Service. OP BUCKTAIL Mersey has continued her involvement in Standing NATO Maritime Group 2 in the Mediterranean patrolling the areas between Turkey and Greece in support of the efforts of the Turkish and Hellenic Coast Guards as well as the European Union s combined border force for the Schengen Zone: FRONTEX. The Turkish Coastguard patrol their shores with both helicopters (above) and patrol boats (below). Mersey has often been the first at the scene, discovering migrant vessels and highlighting them to both Coast Guards and FRONTEX while ensuring that the incident is carried out in a proper and safe manner to assure the safety of lives at sea. As summer moves into autumn, weather conditions in the Aegean have seen increased winds and sea-states throughout the patrol areas, and the quick response of Mersey and her counterparts ensure that migrants are both deterred and, when necessary, recovered safely.
One of Mersey s seaboats is put through its paces. During OP BUCKTAIL Mersey has been keeping up her training with regular serials practising her core roles and exercises. Her seaboats, life-saving equipment and warfighting weaponry have been tried and tested to ensure that she remains ready to perform whatever role the Royal Navy requires of her. During her regular duties of fishery protection whilst in the UK, the seaboats offer Mersey the flexibility to send boarding teams to other vessels. On OP BUCKTAIL however, Mersey s sea boats offer the flexibility to deal with saving lives at sea whilst offering valuable training for all members of Ship s Company, including the Young Officers, as SLt John Burke (seen above) demonstrated with some trepidation during his first time driving a sea boat in an operational theatre. All work and no play makes Jack a dull sailor, and keeping morale high is a key component of Mersey s continued success in the Aegean. After a period of heavy weather whilst making her way towards the Greek port of Volos, the wind died down, the sea became calm and the Ship took the opportunity to indulge in a Naval tradition Hands to Bathe. D ya hear there; Hands to Bathe, Hands to Bathe!
This tradition, stemming from the days of sail, requires the Ship to stop in the water and her Ship s Company are then permitted to swim in the sea, relax and recharge for a short period of time. It also served a valuable training role, giving the Ship s Company the chance to fully test the MCR-60 mentioned in the last issue. Much delight was taken by the Crew, especially those jumping off the Swimmer of the Watch gantry (a mere 25 feet above the waterline!) into the brilliant azure waters of the Aegean. After a few quiet hours, the Ship gathered up her crew and made her way to her next port visit: Volos. VOLOS Volos emerged slowly from the morning mist as Mersey berthed alongside the cruise liner terminal. The Ship s Company were eager to embark all necessary stores in preparation for their departure, before leave was piped and the Crew stepped ashore. Lt Cdr Richard Hewitt rejoined the Ship on the first day, refreshed after a period of well-deserved leave, and looking forward to enjoying the sights and sounds of Volos with his Ship s Company. Like Thessaloniki, the city has a vibrant student population and the waterfront offered Ship s Company a wide variety of bars and restaurants to whet their appetites. Although not as culturally distinct as Thessaloniki (no UNESCO sites here) Greece s youngest city has a superb reputation for yachting and locally-sourced fish. The next few days saw Mersey take full advantage of local hospitality, before sailing once again to resume her duties on OP BUCKTAIL. SPORTS The success of Mersey is not limited to her operations in the Aegean. Back at home in the UK, whilst on a well-earned period of leave, LS Simon Jeff Hurst represented the Royal Navy during a testing 48 hour Carp Fishing match at Dryad Southwick Park. LS Hurst caught a net weight of 390lbs with the largest Carp weighing in at 16lbs. He finished 5 th individually out of a total of 15 competitors and came 3 rd overall in the pairs match. LS Hurst with his prize carp.
WORLD COFFEE MORNING The Ship s company enjoyed a special standeasy on World Coffee day, raising over 60 for the RNRMC. Treats such as lemon drizzle cake and rocky road were made by the Bish and MERSEY s attached UK Border Force Officer Ms Smeena Khan. MERSEY s entertainment committee hopes to repeat the event s success with further charity coffee mornings in the future. MERSEY s Ship s Company indulge their sweet tooth. In the next issue: Mersey continues her successful deployment in the Aegean Sea, with a visit to Piraeus, Greece.