Crew vigilant after Rio violence

Captain Nick Lambert said the crew are looking out for each other

Crew onboard HMS Endurance, which is visiting Rio de Janerio, have been warned to remain vigilant following violent riots in the Brazilian city.

Eighteen people were killed in gang attacks on buses and police stations earlier in the week.

The Portsmouth-based research vessel is docked in the harbour, but the level of violence on the streets has meant most personnel have stayed onboard.

The stop in South America is part of a nine-month deployment in Antarctica.

Nick Lambert, Captain of the HMS Endurance, told BBC News that private transport is being arranged for those wanting to visit places in the city transport.

"We've got the ships company looking out for each other. We've restricted where they can go to and everybody is being very, very careful about their behaviour and what they can do ashore," he said.

HMS Endurance is set to leave Rio on New Year's Day

"We often visit foreign ports, some are safer than others. Rio is one of the slightly more concerning cities."

The wave of violence across Rio de Janerio started on Wednesday night and continued into Thursday morning.

In one incident, seven passengers were burnt to death when gunmen attacked their bus and torched it.

Officials said the co-ordinated attacks had probably been planned from jail by imprisoned gang leaders.

HMS Endurance is set to return to Antarctica on New Year's Day and will be back in Portsmouth in June, 2007.