The Royal Navy's new 'green' warship has arrived in Falmouth – and she arrived a special welcome.
Her arrival in port for a maintenance period provided the perfect affiliation to cement her affiliation with the city of Truro.
There to greet the ship and crew were the Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall Colonel Edward Bolitho and the High Sheriff of Cornwall Kate Holborrow, along with the chair of Cornwall Council Hilary Frank, mayor of Truro Bert Biscoe and the Bishop of Truro, Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen.
The Lord Lieutenant was piped aboard and received by the the ship's executive officer, Lieutenant Lucy Robus, supported by First Lieutenant Thomas Adlam.
The Bishop of Truro Rt Rev Philip Mounstephen boarded the ship along with Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho. Picture: HM Naval Base Devonport
A Covid compliant gathering was held on the upper foredeck and after light refreshments, various members spoke and presented gifts.
The Lord Lieutenant presented a St Piran’s flag, explaining the significance of it being the ‘national flag’ of Cornwall.
Mayor Biscoe then presented a Cornish Bible with personalised inscription from the city of Truro and the people of Cornwall.
Both items were blessed by the Bisho,p who linked it in with the Easter weekend.
Lord Lieutenant of Cornwall, Colonel Edward Bolitho and the High Sheriff of Cornwall Kate Holborrow. Picture: HM Naval Base Devonport
Mayor Biscoe then presented a framed poem that he had written regarding returning to port following a sea passage.
Cllr Hilary Frank followed this by reading a passage from St Walter Raleigh about seafaring and life’s aspirations.
The ceremony was finalised with a formal ‘breaking out of the flag’ hoisted from the port halliard.
HMS Tamar arrives in Falmouth. Picture: HM Naval Base Devonport
HMS Tamar is the fourth of the five new Offshore Patrol Vessels being built to replace the Navy's River Class vessels.
She is the Navy's 'greenest' ship after becoming the first to be equipped with new technology including catalytic converters, which can reduce the ship’s nitrogen-based emissions by 75 to 90%, while her engines are also covered in sensors to help reduce emissions.
She can perform a variety of roles from intercepting drug-traffickers and smugglers to protecting UK territorial waters and providing humanitarian assistance in the wake of a disaster.
She has also trained extensively to work with Royal Marines Commandos on board and search operations.
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