Friends and families welcome 'The Black Duke' home to Devonport
HMS Monmouth, known as 'The Black Duke', has returned home to HM Naval Base, Devonport, Plymouth after seven months at sea.
The occasion was marked by a Royal Marines band who joined hundreds of friends and families on the jetty to welcome the sailors home for what Commander Gordon Ruddock called "some well-deserved leave".
Since October, HMS Monmouth has patrolled 53,000 miles, crossed four time zones and visited eight countries. With a Lynx helicopter and embarked detachment of Royal Marines, the ship has helped protect the busiest shipping lanes in the world.
Cdr Ruddock said: ”We have had a busy few months where we have provided both assurance to friendly powers and legitimate maritime traffic, and deterrence to those who would commit illegal acts in international waters which impact directly the UK economy.
"My team have done a tremendous job over the past seven months and are now looking forward to some well deserved leave with their families.”
The patrol was part of an international effort to deter piracy and smuggling, taking her turn to provide the standing commitment to Maritime security in the region which the Royal Navy has maintained for over 30 years.
Handing over the duty to fellow Welsh affiliated warship HMS Dragon last month, HMS Monmouth will celebrate her 20th year of service on May 20th this year.
