HMS Cambria Gets New Home In Cardiff Bay

A new state-of-the-art building in Cardiff Bay was handed over to maritime reservists from the Reserve Forces and Cadet's association (RFCA) for Wales on Friday.

The £11 million facility will serve as the central hub and operating base for three maritime reserve units - HMS Cambria, the Royal Marines Reserve Detachment Cardiff and Wales’ University Royal Naval Unit (URNU).

Commander Steve Fry, Commanding Officer HMS Cambria, received the building on behalf of the Royal Navy in Wales from Colonel Nick Beard, Chief Executive of the RFCA in Wales.

"HMS Cambria is the pride of the Royal Navy in Wales," he said.

"With Virtual Reality classrooms, new recreation facilities and two brand-new Power Boats to train on, we can ensure we’re ready to support the Royal Navy at sea.

"This is a great day and an exciting time to be a Maritime Reservist in Wales." 

Colonel Beard, who project-managed the build, said the RFCA for Wales are "hugely proud" to have delivered the project.

He said: "Not only has the project enabled HMS Cambria to fittingly return to its original maritime home, but it now offers the best possible facilities for our reservists to work and train.

"We hope the brand-new facility will inspire future potential reservists from the surrounding areas to sign up to become vital and valued members of the Armed Forces family."

Commodore Mel Robinson, Commander Maritime Reserves, said: "It is an enormous personal pleasure being here to see HMS Cambria formally take the keys of this magnificent building, which will serve as the beating heart of the Royal Navy in Wales."

HMS Cambria was first established in 1947.

The lead Royal Naval Reserve unit in Wales was originally based in Cardiff Docks until 1980, when it moved to Sully, in the Vale of Glamorgan.

The newly-developed Cardiff Bay building replaces the existing HMS Cambria in Sully and will serve all maritime reservists in Wales.

It will also provide short-term accommodation for up to 50 people and an office environment with up to 80 workspaces.

There are also several training and classroom suites, a fitness room and a large multi-purpose dining room on site.

Outside the building there will be a rope training area, a car park and a parade square.

Cover image: The new building in Cardiff Bay (Picture: Royal Navy).