Warship returns from deployment

The ship returns to sea early next year

A Royal Navy frigate is returning to its Devon base after a nine-month deployment.

HMS Monmouth has sailed 40,000 miles, been involved in foreign warship exercises and visited 28 ports in 19 countries.

In March, the frigate airlifted five people in gale-force winds from a cargo ship taking in water near Greece.

Hundreds of friends and family welcomed the frigate's 185 crew back to Devonport in Plymouth.

While on patrol in the Mediterranean as part of the Nato patrol force Operation Active Endeavour, the warship responded to a distress call from a merchant vessel whose cargo had shifted in heavy seas and was rapidly taking on water.

The ship also joined exercises with the US Seventh Fleet, Chinese North Seas Fleet and Korean Second Fleet and participated in an international exercise in Tokyo Bay in front of the world's media.

Commanding Officer, Cdr Tim Peacock said: "I would like to personally take this opportunity to thank all of our family, friends and affiliates who have sustained us throughout our long time away.

"Their good humour and countless messages of support have helped ensure that, although on the far side of the world, we have always felt near home."

The ship returns to sea early next year.