Mersey Beat April 2012

7/27/2019 Mersey Beat April 2012

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A ‘FINE’ START TO 2012 FOR THE MIGHTY

MERSEY

SO FAR IN 2012The Ship’s Company of HMS MERSEY have had a

none stop start during the first quarter of 2012.

After a very successful engineering and

maintenance period alongside in January the Ship

got straight down to business. A trio of significantfines for fisheries offences, a squadron exercise, a

number of high profile visitors, followed by an

enjoyable operational stand off in Belfast. This

month Mersey Beat brings you an update on

these stories alongside some impressive sporting

triumphs.

ABOUT MERSEYMERSEY is one of three Ships which make up the

RN’s Fishery Protection Squadron enforcing UK

and EU fisheries legislation in order to ensure the

long term sustainability of the UK fishing grounds.In addition, the three UK based Ships are the only

warships on permanent patrol around the UK,

contributing to the policing of UK waters and

delivering an intrinsic element of the UK’s

Maritime Security.



RECORD BREAKING ENFORCEMENT MESSAGE AT THE START OF

2012

Royal Navy Fishery Protection Vessel HMS MERSEY has issued a record “on the spot fine”

for undersized nets during the boarding of a Dutch fishing vessel in the North Sea.

HMS MERSEY was on routine fishery protection duties in the early hours of Tuesday morning when she located

the Dutch beam trawler FV Elizabeth 40 nautical miles East from the Norfolk Coast, just inside UK fisheries limits.

The Ship’s boarding team were sent onto the Elizabeth to carry out a full inspection just as dawn broke on

Tuesday morning.

Marine Enforcement Officer Midshipman Phill Fordham RN and his Assistant Boarding Officer ET(WE) Don King

carried out a thorough inspection of all aspects of the vessel’s documentation and catch before moving on to an

inspection of the gear onboard. The size of the holes in the nets used is a key element of fisheries legislation, with

undersized mesh sizes resulting in the depletion of young fish and vulnerable species that are unable to escape as

the nets are dragged through the water.

An inspection of the 2 ‘cod-ends’ (the section of the net that catches and holds the fish) revealed that both were

significantly undersized, this infringement was reported back to HMS MERSEY who liaised with the Marine

Management Organisation to determine the next course of action. It was decided that Elizabeth would receive aFinancial Administrative Penalty of £8,000 to be administered by the RN boarding team.

This significant sum is a record for any ship within the Fishery Protection Squadron. HMS MERSEY’s Commanding

Officer, Lt Cdr Mark Anderson RN said “This is a great result for my Ship’s Company and another example of the

continued effectiveness of RN Fishery Protection Vessels working to enforce important fisheries legislation in and

around UK waters.”

Following in the path of this early success for the year, the Marine Enforcement team recorded a further three

significant fines against fishing vessels for a range of offences as well as a number of official written warnings. As

2012 continues MERSEY is determined to sustain the effective enforcement capability they have developed andensure that fishing vessels operating outside the law are identified and prosecuted to the full extent of the law.



STRENGTH IN NUMBERS – FISHERY PROTECTION VESSELS

JOIN FORCES FOR ANNUAL EXERCISE

Royal Navy Fishery Protection Vessel HMS MERSEY was joined by her sister ships HMS SEVERN and HMS TYNE for the annual

Fishery Protection Squadron Exercise in February. The exercise saw the ships put through their paces in a series of

challenging combined evolutions at sea as well as team-building and knowledge-sharing events ashore.

The exercise began as all ships, returning from Fishery Protection patrols around the UK, closed each other at the rendezvouspoint off Sandown Bay just before sunrise on the first morning. Falling into formation they wasted no time in commencing

the first in a series of intricate manoeuvres with HMS SEVERN directing the rest of the Squadron into a co-ordinated

anchorage at Spithead.

Safely clear of the anchorage it was MERSEY’s

opportunity to shine as she took the lead for a series

of ‘Officer of the Watch Manoeuvres’, this involves a

number of ships moving perfectly in time in a series of

coordinated movements at set distances from each

other. Zig-zagging and weaving her way at the head of

the formation, MERSEY successfully guided her sister

ships into open water for a photo opportunity with aLynx helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron.

The annual squadron exercise provides a perfect

opportunity for the weapons directors and their crews

to dust off the anti-flash and test their sharp shooting

skills with GPMGs and 20mm cannons against the

other ships (it should be noted that the shots were

aimed at a floating target rather than each other –

that would take the competition a bit far). As HMS

TYNE coordinated the positioning of all three ships in

relation to the firing areas it was MERSEY’s very own

AB(Sea) Antony who claimed the honours as his20mm shot struck a direct hit on the target.

After an enjoyable and certainly worthwhile day all

that was left was for MERSEY, flying her recently awarded Fleet Efficiency Pennant, to resume command and lead the other

two ships back into Portsmouth Dockyard.

Day two saw a number of evolutions happening concurrently throughout the day involving all members of the various Ships’

Companies. Whilst the Commanding Officers and their Executive Officers met with representatives from the Squadron Staff

for their annual Command Conference, the Marine Enforcement Officers from all three ships held a similar discussion with

visiting staff from the Marine Management Organisation (MMO) and the sports teams from the three ships competed at

Football and “back-pass” in HMS NELSON’s gymnasium. HMS MERSEY’s team earned a sporting trophy to accompany the

efficiency pennant awarded at the end of 2011.

With ‘work’ over, it was time for the Squadron to relax and put rivalries aside as they came together for the annual ‘Fish Ball’;

held at the Royal Maritime Club, this event is an opportunity for all ranks and rates from the Squadron, as well as staff from

the MMO, to get together, reunite with old friends and let their hair down for the evening. Guests were treated to a three-

course meal and live entertainment featuring classics from the Frank Sinatra back catalogue as well as a DJ and dancing into

the early hours.

MERSEY’s Executive Officer Lt Rob Lamb said “Overall the Exercise was a great success, the ships proved they could work

together effectively and that even in evolutions not routinely part of their daily business, they were still able to perform to

the high standard expected within the RN. The shore side aspects were of great use, providing an important opportunity to

renew the connection between the MMO and the RN Officers who work on the front line of fishery protection and for

everyone to relax in a more informal setting at a very enjoyable Fish Ball.”



MERSEY TRAINS HER GUNS AGAINST WATERBORNE THREAT

MERSEY took advantage of the unseasonably fine March weather to exercise the upper deck weapons crews andbridge teams in combating the waterborne threat posed by a small rib approaching the Ship. Our tasking takes us

close in to land and we visit a number of ports each year not usually frequented by RN vessels; whilst thankfully

the threat is not one we face on a routine basis it is nevertheless one which we must take seriously. The exercise

provided an opportunity for some of the newer members of the Ship’s Company to familiarise themselves with

our procedures and fire off some rounds (albeit blank) against our seaboat as it played the role of an enemy craft.

Evading a potential aggressor in a small craft requires a combination of tactical manoeuvring by the bridge team,

a rapid response by the upper deck weapons crews in assuming their positions and a sequence of warnings. The

actions of the Ship are taken in line with strict rules of engagement and exercises such as this one allow the

command to rehearse applying the rules to various scenarios played out before them. In the run up to a period of Operational Sea Training coming up later in the year there are sure to be many more training serials such as this

to take the team to that next level in operational effectiveness.



MERSEY RISES TO TOUGH GUY CHALLENGE

Different people like to spend their leave in different ways; many enjoy a restful break and a chance to relax away

from the stresses of work. Others however take things to extremes and use their time off to undertake one of thecraziest endurance challenges the UK has to offer. The Tough Guy race takes place over an eight mile course

pitting contestants against the forces of nature, exhaustion and sheer determination - Lt Tom Hazel, ET(ME) Chris

Luce and AB(SEA) David Antony faced this challenge head on as part of Team MERSEY and made it out the other

side to tell the tale.

The first four miles of the course featured long open stretches to get the legs going, moving across fields and over

furlongs, up and down steep hills fighting against the thick mud making half a mile last forever. The budding

tough guys fought their way through, clambering in and out of freezing deep streams, trudging through boggy

marshes, struggling under forest netting and scrambling over huge hay obstacles just to make it to the half-way

point.

With sections known by names such as the ‘Torture Chamber’ and the ‘Killing Fields’ the course was never going

to get easier from this point on. Those still standing were faced with what seemed like endless freezing water,

raging fires to jump over, 10,000 volts of electrodes to avoid and the challenge of mounting 40ft A-frames with

only some netting to help them. Traversing rope walkways strung across yet more freezing water they moved on

to seemingly endless steep hills and boggy expanses, through tunnels made of tires, concrete and under barbed

wire before finally making their way across the finish line looking like broken men, but having completed the most

awesome challenge.

AB(SEA) Antony remarked “this was an immense race, we have overcome unthinkable obstacles and physical

pain, all the time battling hypothermia, exhaustion and really bad cramp but we did it! This is what really sorts the

weak from the Tough Guys!”



ALPINE SKIING CHAMPIONSHIPS TRIUMPH FOR MERSEY ‘MIDDIE’

Written by (newly promoted) SLt Phill Fordham RN

The Royal Navy Alpine Skiing Championships are held annually in Tignes during the middle two weeks of January.

This year MERSEY’s Navigating Officer Lt Stuart Willsmore and Specialist Fleet Time Young Officer Midshipman

Phill Fordham were lucky enough to attend. The Royal Navy Winter Sports Association provides packages over

either of the two weeks or for those lucky enough; both weeks. All abilities are catered for, from absolutebeginners to advanced training in racing and off-piste avalanche survival.

The Championships are open to all serving, reserve and retired RN and RM personnel, as well as any civilian family

or friends. This gives a fantastic atmosphere throughout the resort, with more than 2,000 people attending the

championships over the two weeks. An excellent standard of coaching is provided by a combination of RN/RM

instructors, supplemented by instructors from the resort as required.

Racing is held in the last two days of the first week and throughout the second week and is encouraged regardless

of ability. MERSEY were unfortunately unable to field a full four man team (no shame there as neither did HMS

ILLUSTRIOUS) but both Stuart and Phill raced as individuals during the first week.

Stuart was setting a competitive time in the Giant Slalom ‘C’ race before an unfortunate, but rather spectacular

fall three quarters of the way down an already rutted course meant he did not finish. Based on his performance in

the Giant Slalom ‘B’ race Phill was asked to stay for the second week of the championships and train with the

Royal Navy Ski Team. During this second week Phill won Silver in the intermediate Giant Slalom and Gold in the

intermediate Slalom races, making him intermediate runner up for the championships.



CHEF HEAD’S PAELLA FOR 30

(DIVIDE DOWN AS REQUIRED FOR HOME APPLICATION!)

1. Prepare the lobster: cut it in half, remove the claws andlegs, discard the sac and trail. Remove meat from the claws

and cut the tail into 3-4 pieces, leaving meat in the shell.

2. Clean the squid, pull the body and head apart. Extract the

transparent ‘pen’ from the body. Rinse well, pulling off the

thin purple membrane on the outside. Remove the ink

sack. Cut the body into ring and tentacles into 1cm (1/2

inch) lengths.

3. Prepare the prawns by shelling the body.

4. Boil the white stock, infuse with saffron and simmer for 5-

10 minutes.

5. Sweat the finely chopped onion in a suitable pan, without

colour. Add the garlic and the peppers.

6. Add the rice to the onions and garlic and sweat for 2

minutes.

7. Add about 1 litre white stock.

8. Add the thyme, bay leaf and seasoning. Bring to the boil,

then cover with a lightly oiled greaseproof paper and lid.

Cook for 5-8 minutes, in a moderately hot oven (around

180C).

9. Add the squid and cook for another 5 minutes.

10. Add the tomatoes, lobster pieces and prawns. Stir gently,

cover with a lid and reheat the rice in the oven.

11. Correct the consistency of the rice if necessary by addingmore stock, so that it looks sufficiently moist without being

too wet. Correct the seasoning.

12. When all is reheated and cooked, lace in a suitable serving

dish, decorate with 4 prawns. Finish with wedges of lemon.

COOKED LOBSTER 4 X 400G

SQUID 3KG

COOKED PRAWNS 4KG

WHITE STOCK 7 LITRES

PINCH OF SAFFRON SEVERAL

ONION, FINELY

CHOPPED

1KG

CLOVE GARLIC, FINELY

CHOPPED

6 CLOVES

RED PEPPER, DICED 1KG

GREEN PEPPER, DICED 1KG

OLIVE OIL 1 LITRE

SHORTN GRAIN RICE 5KG

THYME, BAY LEAF AND

SEASONING

TOMATOES, SKINNED,

DE-SEEDED, DICED

2KG

Ashley Head joined the Royal Navy

on 23rd

April 2005 as a Chef. On

completion of training Ash joined

HMS Westminster for a Far East

deployment as part of Volans 06.Remaining with Westminster Ash

took part in a similar deployment on

Orion 08. Since then he has served in

mine hunters HMS Middleton and

HMS Brocklesby as well as

completing operational tours on

Tellick 09 and Herrick 10. Ash joined

HMS Mersey in February 2012 with

the instructions “if you impress us,

you can stay.” Ash has since been

permanently drafted to MERSEY.

Mersey Beat April 2012

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