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HMS Mersey visits Gibraltar

HMS Mersey visits Gibraltar

Royal Navy offshore patrol vessel HMS Mersey has arrived in Gibraltar during a busy period of operations supporting UK maritime security and wider NATO commitments.

One of the Royal Navy's River-class Offshore Patrol Vessels, HMS Mersey is a high readiness ship designed to conduct maritime security, surveillance, escort, and constabulary tasks in UK and international waters. With a ship’s company of around 50 personnel, the vessel is capable of deploying at short notice and spending extended periods at sea in support of defence and security operations.

In recent months, HMS Mersey has played a key role in maintaining maritime situational awareness around the UK, working closely with other Royal Navy units and NATO partners. Earlier this year, the ship was tasked with monitoring and reporting on the movements of Russian naval and merchant vessels transiting the English Channel, demonstrating the Royal Navy’s commitment to safeguarding the UK’s maritime interests and supporting regional security.

Working alongside a Wildcat helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, HMS Mersey tracked the movements of the Russian warship RFS Soobrazitelny and the tanker MV Anatoly Kolodkin as they passed through waters close to the UK. Such operations form part of a coordinated effort to monitor activity in strategically important sea lanes, providing reassurance, maintaining freedom of navigation, and contributing to collective security.

Throughout her service, HMS Mersey has undertaken a wide range of duties, including maritime patrols, fishery protection, defence engagement, and support to other government departments. Her versatility and readiness make her an important platform in the Royal Navy’s ongoing efforts to protect the UK’s interests at home and overseas.

The visit to Gibraltar provides an opportunity for the ship’s company to conduct routine maintenance and logistics support while strengthening the longstanding connection between the Royal Navy and Gibraltar, a strategically important base supporting operations across the Mediterranean and Atlantic.