New UK mine-hunting vessel gets her official name
The name of a new ship designed to safeguard Britain's waters on mine-hunting operations has been revealed.
The ship, formerly known as the MV Island Crown, will now be called RFA (Royal Fleet Auxiliary) Stirling Castle.
The head of the Royal Fleet Auxiliary, Commodore David Eagles, said: "The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is excited and honoured to be charged with bringing this impressive new vessel into service.
"We are looking forward to working alongside our Royal Navy colleagues to roll out this new MCM (Mine Countermeasures) capability which will provide enhanced operational resilience to the continued preservation and safeguarding of the nation's territorial waters and sea lanes.
"The introduction into service of RFA Stirling Castle will also provide opportunities to both upskill RFA personnel and to pilot a more flexible appointing model for our seafaring workforce."
RFA Stirling Castle will act as an offshore forward operating base, deploying Mine Countermeasures Maritime Autonomous Systems (MCM MAS), and drones to find and neutralise seabed threats.
Between 1679 and 1839, five ships have carried the Stirling Castle moniker, and this latest one maintains the Royal Navy's close connection with Scotland.
This newly named vessel will boost the Royal Navy's mine-hunting capabilities and offer a safer alternative to legacy systems.
The sixth Stirling Castle ship is currently in Devonport, where she is undergoing minimal conversion work, primarily to support installation of military communication systems. She will be handed over to the RFA later this year.
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary (RFA) delivers worldwide logistic and operational support to Royal Navy and Royal Marines operations.
It is staffed by merchant sailors and is the civilian branch of the naval service.
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