Britain’s biggest survey ship has left the Big Apple after entertaining – and enlightening – thousands of New Yorkers.
HMS Scott represented the Navy and nation at New York’s Fleet Week – an annual event celebrating and commemorating the service and sacrifice of personnel from the US Navy, Marines and Coast Guard.
She sailed into New York Harbour following the assault ship USS Wasp and accompanied by Canadian coastal defence ship HMCS Glace Bay, Italian frigate ITS Virginio Fasan, four training vessels used by the US Naval Academy at Annapolis and US Coast Guard Cutter Warren Deyampert.
Guiding the ship through one of the world’s busiest waterways and past one of the best-known waterfronts on the planet was Scott’s Navigation Officer, Lt Daisy Kelly-Fletcher.
“It was an incredible opportunity to conduct the pilotage up the Hudson, passing iconic sites such as the Statue of Liberty and Brooklyn Bridge,” she said.
Scott – whose role is deep oceanographic survey – has been in Gibraltar most recently for maintenance, after an intense period of data gathering in the Atlantic.
She was given a plum berth on the River Hudson at Pier 88, just a mile from Times Square, for much of the six-day maritime event.
From the moment the ship arrived, her 50-plus crew were royally hosted by the US Navy, Marines and Coast Guard with invitations to Rock the Fleet in Times Square, a string of receptions and galas by New York’s Mayor, the closing bell ceremony at the New York Stock Exchange, the Athletics Club and the USS Intrepid (to name a few) as well as a multitude of sporting events, not least a trip to Yankee Stadium to see one of the world’s most famous baseball teams in action.
On a more solemn note, six of Scott’s sailors joined US Navy and US Coast Guard sailors and US Marines on a three-kilometre memorial run to the 9-11 Monument to pay their respects to the victims of the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.
On Memorial Day – the last Monday in May and akin to Remembrance Day in the UK, except it’s a public holiday – the survey ship’s crew stood side-by-side with their US counterparts at parades throughout the city.
In return for American hospitality, Scott opened her gangway to New Yorkers and fellow service personnel, welcoming more than 10,000 people aboard during the week, providing displays explaining her capabilities and the importance of the survey data she collects.
“This has really been one of those ‘pinch yourself moments’. The city really embraces the occasion and the warm welcome by everyone we have met has made memories that will last a lifetime,” said Ian Hindley, one of HMS Scott’s hydrographers.
Commander Tom Harrison, Scott’s Commanding Officer, added: “New York Fleet Week has been an incredible event to take part in. As the threat to our shared values increases, deepening defence ties with our closest ally is more important than ever. The crew have represented the Royal Navy to the highest standard and received a fantastic welcome from this great city.”
