HMS Penzance (M106) explained
HMS Penzance was a commissioned by the
Royal Navy in 1998. She was named after the seaside town of
Penzance in
Cornwall, and was the fourth vessel to bear the name. She was decommissioned in January 2024.
[1] Construction and career
In 2000, Penzance was awarded the freedom of the town of Penzance.
In 2020 Penzance deployed long-term to the Persian Gulf, operating as part of 9 Mine Countermeasures Squadron from in Bahrain. In this role, crews for Penzance rotate every four months.[2]
In April 2021 Penzance was involved in a collision with in Mina Salman, Bahrain. Both vessels remained afloat and were able to berth safely.[3] Penzance returned to U.K. waters from the Persian Gulf in mid-2022.[4]
On 17 April 2023, in Scottish waters Penzance nearly collided with 12,000 tonne Norwegian tanker Sten Baltic, which slowed down to avoid collision. None of Penzances bridge officers had noticed the tanker until radioed to speed up to avoid a collision. The senior bridge officer, who tried to cover up his actions, was court-martialed losing his seniority and fined.[5]
In November 2023, Penzance deployed with the mine countermeasures vessel and other Royal Navy warships to patrol northern European waters with vulnerable undersea critical infrastructure in order to assist in protecting such assets. It was reported that this deployment might be the minehunter's last since she was expected to decommission before 2025.[6] In January 2024, Penzance sailed into Rosyth for the final time, flying her paying off pennant.[7]
External links
Notes and References
- @NavyLookout HMS Bangor is the last Sandown class MCMV left in RN service. Images recently released of HMS Penzance decommissioning ceremony held before she left Faslane for the final time on 9th January. . NavyLookout . 1748757709766221981 . 20 January 2024 . 20 January 2024.
- Web site: HMS Chiddingfold's 47-strong crew is heading to the Gulf from Portsmouth today . The News . 10 June 2020 . 24 August 2022 . Cotterill . Tom.
- Web site: Gulf: £100,000 Of Damage After Navy Ships Collision . Forces Network . 7 April 2021 . 8 April 2021.
- @HMSPenzance arrives in #Gibraltar this afternoon as she makes her way home from the Gulf. . 1561392181805711361 . NavyLookout . 21 August 2022 . 24 August 2022.
- News: Royal Navy warship came within 'hair's breadth' of crash with oil tanker due to tired officer . Tait . Albert . The Daily Telegraph . subscription . 20 May 2024 . 20 May 2024.
- Web site: Analysis: Royal Navy deploys seven ships on underwater infrastructure patrols . navylookout.com . 3 December 2023 . 3 December 2023.
- @NavyLookout .@HMSPenzance sailed from Leith yesterday and entered Rosyth flying her paying off pennant. . 1746514604283285759 . NavyLookout . 14 January 2024 . 15 January 2023.
