Jersey's warship to visit Island
From Port of Jersey,
14 November 2011
Jersey’s own warship – HMS Iron Duke – will visit her Island home for the first time, opening her gangway to the public on Saturday 19 November between 10am and 4pm.
Recently returned from tours of duty in the Gulf and off Libya, the Type 23 frigate will play host to a number of affiliated organisations, youth groups and civic guests during her 4-day stay between Thursday 17 and Sunday 20 November.
The vessel will be berthed at Elizabeth Harbour, St Helier, throughout her stay and is due to dock at approximately 10.30am on Thursday 17 November, signalling her arrival with a 15-gun salute. A packed programme of commitments will begin on Thursday evening with a formal reception on board the ship for invited guests, including His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, General Sir John McColl, before the presentation of the Barclays Wealth Community Awards 2011.
On Friday many of Jersey's schoolchildren will have a chance to tour the ship, while representatives from Jersey Pottery will also be on board to present some of their ceramic items to the ship’s wardroom.
However, the highlight of the visit will be on Saturday 19 November when HMS Iron Duke throws open her gangway to members of the public between 10am and 4pm on the West Berth at Elizabeth Harbour. Access to the ship is available to all and is an opportunity to chat to the men and women who make up the crew about their experiences on the ocean and the role of the modern Royal Navy. Entry is free.
Commander Nick Cooke-Priest, Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke, said "It is a great honour to bring HMS Iron Duke to Jersey for the first time; we regard this new affiliation as an important commitment to the people of the area and an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of the Royal Navy, its capabilities, commitments and responsibilities, and to show the community how we live and function at sea. I am certain this visit will herald the start of many such occasions in the future and I am looking forward to fostering what promises to be a very rewarding relationship between HMS Iron Duke and the people of Jersey."
His sentiments are echoed by Group Commercial Director for Ports of Jersey, Myra Shacklady, who is overseeing arrangements for the visit. She said "Jersey enjoys an excellent relationship with the Royal Navy, further strengthened by the announcement in 2010 of our formal affiliation with HMS Iron Duke. I am delighted that we can finally welcome her to Jersey waters over the coming days and encourage as many people as possible to step on board for a closer inspection of this magnificent vessel."
On behalf of Barclays Wealth, Richard Corrigan said "We are delighted that the Royal Navy and the Commanding Officer of HMS Iron Duke have allowed us to hold our Community Awards event on board. I am sure the forthcoming visit is just the beginning of a successful affiliation for the ship with the Island of Jersey and also a continuation of the good relationship Barclays Wealth here in Jersey has with our Royal Navy visitors, through our sponsorship of the Barclays Wealth Jersey Boat Show."
HMS Iron Duke will leave Jersey on Sunday 20 November at approx 1pm en route to Plymouth.
Following on from a previous affiliation with HMS Jersey, this new special relationship was announced during the 2010 Barclays Wealth Jersey Boat Show.