Crowds of onlookers lined Falmouth’s sea front this morning as the RFA Argus sailed on its mercy mission to Ebola stricken Sierra Leone.

Hundreds of people stretched from Custom House Quay, around Castle Drive to Cliff Road, as the  ship set out into the bay, escorted by the three Merlin helicopters from RNAS Culdrose which it will be carrying to West Africa.

The partners, wives, children and families of those on board said their last farewells to their loved ones as the ship sails for the Ebola riven country of Sierra Leone.

The Argus will carry around 350 personnel to Sierra Leone during a seven day journey.

Once there, the 140 strong ship’s crew and 80 medical crew will remain on board, while 80 members of 820 Squadron from RNAS Culdrose will use three Merlin helicopters to transport goods and people, 30 members of the Royal Marines 539 assault squadron will carry out support by boat, and 50 marines from 42 Commando will be on hand to provide protection.

Helicopter crews from Culdrose will be removing equipment from their Merlins during the trip, so that the aircraft can be switched from their usual anti-submarine role to ferry equipment and people hundreds of miles to inaccessible parts of the country.

The ship will not be treating ebola victims in its fully functioning hospital on board, but will be used to treat any injuries sustained by the service personnel on board, such as snake bites, broken limbs.

For the full picture Gallery click here.

Falmouth Packet:

Among the onlookers were a group of tearful loved ones, who said that although they were sad to see their partners leave, they all felt “very proud” that they were going “for the greater good.”

Falmouth Packet:

The Cornish flag flutters in the wind as RFA Argus sets sail.