Royal Navy warship helps West African nations with maritime security

A Royal Navy warship has been deployed to West Africa to help deliver training to countries and combat maritime crimes like piracy and armed robbery.

The 90.5m-long HMS Trent has sailed from Gibraltar with a team of Royal Marines from 42 Commando and a Puma surveillance drone on board.

The vessel is part of a wider international effort by the Friends of the Gulf of Guinea (FOGG), which aids countries in the area to implement regional maritime security frameworks and increase stability.

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The Puma drone, which can monitor an area larger than the size of Greater Manchester – 493 sq miles – is on the ship to provide reconnaissance and gather intelligence.

Lieutenant Commander Mike Rydiard, Executive Officer of HMS Trent, said: "The integration of a Royal Marines boarding team and the Puma remotely-piloted air system in Trent is a first, and demonstrates our flexibility. 

"It is a testament to a lot of hard work by my team in Trent and organisations across the whole force that have supported us."

Trent's first port visit was in The Gambia at the weekend, when sailors from the Gambian Navy received instruction in firefighting, damage control, and seamanship, accessing world-class Royal Navy training.

The ship – which can reach a top speed of 24 knots and can carry 95 personnel – will then travel onwards to Cape Verde to work closely with local law enforcement in the organisation and conduct of joint boarding operations in support of counter-narcotics missions.

Lieutenant Christopher Windsor, Puma Flight Commander from 700X Naval Air Squadron, said: "I am delighted to support HMS Trent's upcoming deployment to West Africa with Puma.

"The opportunity to deploy Puma as an aviation asset on board Trent will benefit our deployment as well as shape future tasking across the patrol ship fleet."

HMS Trent has a range of 5,500 nautical miles and is one of the Navy's Offshore Patrol Vessels (OPV), which are tasked with defending territorial waters, shielding fishing stocks, and performing constabulary duties.