Navy ship returns after 530 days

HMS Echo will survey waters around the UK and in the North Sea

A Devonport-based Royal Navy survey ship has returned home on Monday after more than 530 days at sea.

HMS Echo was deployed in the Gulf, the Mediterranean and the Indian Ocean.

One of Echo's main tasks during her 18 months away was surveying the area around Iraqi oil platforms to locate underwater hazards.

Members of the 72-strong crew were able to take leave on rotation and the ship was maintained at overseas ports, enabling her to stay away longer.

Leave booked

Built in Appledore in north Devon and commissioned in 2003, her 533 days away is a record for a ship on her maiden deployment.

The survey ship investigated 16 wrecks and visited 10 different countries.

For her crew, the return to Devonport is a welcome period of leave after a long tour of duty, though personnel were not on board the ship for the entire 18 months.

Chief Petty Officer Tug Wilson said: "We'd do approximately 10 weeks on board, and four weeks at home on leave.

"And it is leave, you can plan ahead for things. For instance, I said to my wife when I joined: 'What are you doing next January, next July and next November?'."

HMS Echo will be continuing her survey works in waters this time around the UK and North Sea, in a week's time.