The crew of the new Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Mounts Bay are putting the seal on their close links with Cornwall at a public event marked by a ceremonial military fly-past and civic ceremony in Falmouth on Sunday. The ship will also be open to the public on Monday April 16 between 1pm to 5pm.

The town centre will reverberate with the sound of helicopters flying overhead from Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose, before the civic mayor bestows the freedom of the town on the ship and ship's company at a special event in the town on Sunday 2.45pm to 3.45pm. The event will feature the commanding officer accepting the honour in the form of a scroll that will be publicly exhibited by sailors on parade.

Captain Ross Ferris, himself from Cornwall, said his ship RFA Mounts Bay is delighted to take part in the ceremony where she will exercise the right of the Freedom of Falmouth. The ship was officially affiliated to Falmouth three years ago when the then Town Mayor Councillor Maureen Davies attended the launch in Glasgow.

He said: "Since then our ties have become tighter and the current Town Mayor Councillor Roger Bonney, has continued to reinforce the significance of the relationship. The ship's company has been privileged to support a number of events in the town, ranging from Armistice Day commemorations to providing support boats for Falmouth Regatta week and was ceremonially accepted into the service of the Royal Navy's Fleet with a service of dedication held in glorious sunshine last September. We are thrilled to now be awarded the honorary freedom of the town and look forward to an even closer relationship over the years to come."

The ship's two affiliated Sea Cadet Units, TS Zephyr, from Caterham, and TS Shikari from Camborne and Redruth enjoy close links with the ship Captain Ross Ferris was born in 1954 in Feock in Cornwall. He was educated at his village school, subsequently in Truro and then Cornwall Technical College, before joining the Royal Fleet Auxiliary in 1972 as a deck cadet, initially aboard TS Worcester at Greenhithe on the Thames.

He became a master mariner in 1984 and has served in most classes of RFA. His first appointment as third officer was in RFA Tidespring in 1976. Promotion to second officer was in RFA Retainer in 1977 and when appointed to RFA Gold Rover in 1984, he was promoted to first officer. Having served in RFA Sir Bedivere in 1985 and Sir Caradoc in 1987, he attained promotion later in 1987, returning to RFA Gold Rover for his first appointment in that rank. In September 1994 he was appointed to the staff of the Flag Officer Sea Training as Staff RFA Officer where he served for two years.

Captain Ferris was the first RFA chief officer to be appointed in command, as master of RFA Sea Crusader, the first joint rapid reaction force roll-on roll-off ship, in 1996 to 1997. He was promoted to captain in 1996 while serving aboard RFA Sea Crusader and then joined RFA Gold Rover in command in 1997. He commanded RFA Sir Bedivere, the mine counter measures vessel command ship in the Gulf, during Operation Telic in 2003. He was closely involved in the new landing ship dock project for most of 2005, formally assuming command of the newly-built RFA Mounts Bay of the same class.

Captain Ferris is married to Heather and they have three daughters, Julia, Melloney and Phillippa. They live near Truro in Cornwall. He is a keen yachtsman, the family enjoy yachting holidays, walking and outdoor pursuits.

RFA Mount's Bay's first operational task was for Exercise Vela to West Africa embarking troops and equipment from 40 Commando Royal Marine. Built by BAE Systems Govan, RFA Mounts Bay (numbered L3008), is the first of four Bay Class Landing Ship Dock (Auxiliary) the replacement ships for the Sir Galahad class landing ships. At over 16,000 tonnes full load, the Bay Class are much larger, more capable, more flexible and have over twice the capacity of the ships they are replacing.

Along with self-defence features, RFA Mounts Bay is fitted with a military communications and fitted to receive military weapons. RFA Mounts Bay is designed to carry 356 fully equipped troops, or more if needed and has 1,200 metres of vehicle deck and extra space to carry cargo containers. She has the aviation capability to transport and operate two medium Merlin-size helicopters or a single Chinook helicopter and can servicing the aircraft. The aircraft can be re-fuelled on deck and in-flight, operating from the ship. Additionally, the flight deck is large enough to enable operations by the MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft.

RFA Mounts Bay will operate over the horizon, distant from the front line early in an operation, and land troops and equipment using helicopters, landing craft and powered rafts. The RFA is the civilian arm of the Royal Navy and manned by British Merchant Seafarers, holding military skills and qualifications.