HMS Trent Commissioned Into Royal Navy In Portsmouth

HMS Trent has been commissioned into the Royal Navy during a ceremony at Portsmouth Naval Base.

The River-class patrol ship is the third of five new Offshore Patrol Vessels built to replace the Navy's current fleet of River-class vessels.

The warship is now departing on her first operational deployment, setting sail to the Mediterranean as part of Operation Sea Guardian.

The mission sees NATO ships help protect the region from international crime and terrorism. 

"By deploying HMS Trent to the Mediterranean, the Royal Navy will be supporting UK and NATO security with her patrols of the international shipping lanes and denying criminals and terrorists unchallenged use of the sea," said Commodore Craig Wood, Commander of the Royal Navy's Surface Flotilla. 

The band of the Royal Marines School of Music played at the commissiong ceremony, which was conducted by Deputy Chaplain of the Fleet, Reverend Martin Evans, alongside Lieutenant Commander James Wallington-Smith, HMS Trent's Commanding Officer. 

The service was witnessed by HMS Trent’s Lady Sponsor, Pamela Potts, as well as senior Navy officers and a small handful of guests.

"The entire Ship’s Company have worked tirelessly in difficult circumstances during the COVID-19 pandemic to prepare HMS Trent for this day," said Lt Cdr Wallington-Smith.

"As we hold the commissioning ceremony and depart for operations, I could not be prouder of them and everyone within Portsmouth Naval Base and beyond who has helped us reach this point."

He added: "It’s my honour and privilege to take HMS Trent from the start of her career in the Royal Navy to her first operational deployment as part of a key NATO mission in the Mediterranean."

HMS Trent arrived in Portsmouth for the first time back in December 2019 and completed sea trials in June - spending two weeks in the Firth of Clyde, going through a variety of workouts to prepare her for deployment.

The 1,800-tonne patrol vessel is 90 metres long and 13 metres wide.

The Ship's Company has 65 ratings and officers with around two-thirds of them crewing the vessel at any time in a three-watch system.

While two watches are on board, the third can take leave or conduct training.

Watch rotations will take place within ports visited by HMS Trent which helps to keep the ship at sea for about 320 days of the year.

As well as her crew, HMS Trent also has space for up to 50 troops or Royal Marines and her flight deck can hold Wildcat and Merlin helicopters.