Monmouth deploys to choke pirate activity

GODSPEED the Black Duke as a police boat shepherds the frigate out of Devonport at the beginning of a six-month deployment.

HMS Monmouth is heading east of Suez to put the squeeze on Somali pirates and support the international naval effort to stop smuggling, drug running, terrorism and people trafficking.

Families and friends saw the Type 23 off from Devil’s Point on Saturday – raising a ‘Cheerio me handsomes’ banner to wish the Black Duke on her way.

In addition to that overarching 'maritime security' mission, the frigate will be exercising with Allied forces in a series of war games.

Monmouth has spent the bulk of 2011 working up to this deployment, including several weeks of bespoke counter-piracy training off the coast of Devon.

The training, known as Directed Continuation Training, is provided by the Flag Officer Sea Training organisation and saw the ship’s Royal Marines/Royal Navy boarding team take down a ‘pirate‘ vessel (a tug) among other serials.

For good measure, the FOSTies threw in the usual tests they expect ships to deal with during operational training: air attack, fast attack boats, fire, flood – basically opening the gates of hell… and demanding the sailors close them.

Which the Black Dukes did most effectively. Indeed, the FOST staff – not easily pleased – gave the pumping and flooding teams a ‘good’ assessment (most get ‘satisfactory’).

All in all, says Cdr Dean Bassett, the Black Duke’s Commanding Officer, the five weeks in the hands of FOST were a good work-out ahead of his ship’s imminent tour of duty.

“Monmouth’s achieved a tremendous amount within a short period of time,” he added. “We are ready for any eventuality – the Black Duke has the expertise and determination to succeed on this challenging deployment.”