The Commodore of the Portsmouth Flotilla Cdre P.J. Sparkes BSc(Hons) has been at sea in HMS Tyne to reacquaint himself with the capabilities of the River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel (RCOPV), and took the opportunity to present prizes and medals to the Ship’s Company.
Arriving by boat transfer the Commodore was greeted by Tyne’s Commanding Officer Lt Cdr Charles Barrow RN before touring the ship and observing the transit out of the Solent from the bridge.
The Commodore spent time engaging with the Ship’s Company giving an insight to his vision of the Portsmouth Flotilla of the future.
The Commodore continued his busy programme early Friday morning as he joined the Executive Officer of HMS Tyne, Lt Craig Clark RN on a routine boarding of the Belgium Fishing vessel OPP Hoop Vans Egan.
On his return to the ship the Commodore took the opportunity to present two of HMS TYNE’S Ship’s Company with awards.
The first was the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal (LSCG) to Leading Seaman K. Mcloughlin for 15 years loyal service to the Royal Navy, 12 of which has been spent within the Fisheries Protection Squadron.
‘It was an honour to receive my LSGC medal from the Cdre after nearly 16 years service, and to receive it at sea in Tyne was a good opportunity as this has been the ship I have mainly served in within the Squadron’, he said.
The second award was for the HMS Tyne Sailor of the Quarter, presented to ET(ME) Benjamin Gunn for his excellent performance under immense pressure and his persistence to improve his knowledge and continual strive to better improve his performance.
On completion of the presentation of awards the Commodore dined with the Senior Rates and then observed the pilotage in to Portsmouth for the ships operational stand down period.
Tyne has since returned to sea to continue her Marine Enforcement Operations.
HMS Tyne is one of the Royal Navy’s 4 RCOPVs in the Fishery Protection Squadron which conducts Marine Enforcement Operations to protect the UK Fishing Industry, along with a host of other duties to ensure the UK’s Maritime Security.
3 of the highly capable OPVs are based in the UK while the 4th, HMS Clyde, is deployed to the Falkland Islands.
