Frigate to stop in Bermuda

HMS Lancaster will power into Hamilton later this week for a brief break on her way to the Caribbean. 

The Type 23 frigate will arrive in the capital on Friday morning for a four day R&R visit before embarking on a six-month deployment in the North Atlantic and Caribbean.

The warship, which was built as the fourth of 16 similar vessels, left her homeport in Portsmouth, England on May 28.

Her tasking will focus on the reassurance and security of the British Overseas Territories, the provision of humanitarian aid and disaster relief during the core hurricane season and counter narcotic operations with partner nations.

During the six-month deployment Lancaster will visit all six of the British Overseas Territories in the region as well as numerous Commonwealth and Caribbean countries in order to conduct regional defence engagement.

All the ships in her class are named after Dukes, in her case, of course, the Duke of Lancaster — better known as Her Majesty the Queen. 

The Queen is the ship’s sponsor and is said to take a keen interest in her work around the globe.

The ship once had a parrot called ‘Sunny’ as part of its crew.

The mascot was given to the ship by a national newspaper and was well known for her colourful language.

Retirement

Sunny is reportedly enjoying a ‘well deserved’ retirement now.

Turning away from warships and parrots, there’s the usual containers ships and cruise liners coming into Bermuda this week.

The Somers Isles is in today, while the Islander arrives tomorrow.

The Oleander will get into the capital on Sunday afternoon.

The Norwegian Breakaway is back for its third trip of year this morning and will be in dockyard along with Celebrity Summit for the next three days.

While this weekend the Norwegian Dawn will be alongside at King’s Wharf instead of Heritage so construction crews can continue with the repair project.

Two tankers are also scheduled to arrive at the Oil Docks later this week to bring in Liquid Propane Gas and fuel for Esso.

The Berceo is expected to come alongside at 6am on Thursday, while the Energy Pride will arrive on Friday morning.

Finally the tug Eileen sailed into the West End earlier this week to bring in building supplies for WEDCO’s construction projects.