Sailors, their families and a host of dignitaries celebrated the commissioning of Britain’s unique minehunting ship into the Senor Service fleet.
HMS Stirling Castle sailed as close as physically possibly to her affiliated city of Stirling, berthing at the Port of Grangemouth, to mark the beginning of the vessel’s operational life.
The ship officially became a Royal Navy warship last July, hoisting the White Ensign alongside in Birkenhead after spending her early service life as a Royal Fleet Auxiliary vessel.
Since then she has been operating as a floating home to autonomous technology for hunting mines around the UK, although a recent mission took her to Gibraltar to deliver cutting-edge vessels and equipment as preparations continued for a mission to make-safe the Strait of Hormuz.
But the ship’s busy schedule finally allowed time for the traditional act of commissioning, with the guests at Friday’s ceremony serenaded by members of the Royal Marines Band.
The ship’s sponsor, Baroness Davidson of Lundin Link, better known as the former leader of the Scottish Conservatives, attended and told those assembled: “Without ships like Stirling Castle to deliver the embarked teams and equipment to the minefield, there is no way to deploy autonomy and uncrewed systems at range.
“With this ship informing the operation of future Royal Navy mine counter measures support vessels, with new and evolving uncrewed systems, and with highly trained and deeply experienced sailors operating the equipment, the future of mine countermeasures is bright.
“And it is the sailors that matter most. Their dedication to their duty, their tenacity in difficulty, their endurance and their good humour has shaped the Royal Navy and its tradition of victory for centuries. The sailors of the future will need more technical skills than their forebears, but they will not lack the fighting spirit.”
She then inspected the crew and the band of the Royal Marines on the quayside.
Commanding Officer HMS Stirling Castle, Commander Phil Harper, said: “A ship commissioning is like a christening, and like the best christening events, we are surrounded by the friends and family that give meaning to our service.
“Our ship sponsor, Baroness Davidson, alongside with the Lord Provost of Stirling and a host of naval and civilian dignitaries are blessing us with their presence, and the families of many of my ship’s company have made long journeys to be with us today. Bless them all, and bless the ship.”
The traditional cutting of the commissioning cake was shared between the Commanding Officer’s wife, Helen Harper, and the youngest sailor on board, Able Seaman Brinley Pollard, symbolising the continuity of generations within the Naval Service.
HMS Stirling Castle is based at His Majesty’s Naval Base Portsmouth and is home to 45 sailors and officers. She will help extend the reach and effectiveness of Royal Navy minehunting operations and makes it safer for those sailors whose job it is to locate and destroy mines.
She marks a move away from traditional minehunting, embracing cutting-edge technology as she acts as a ‘mother ship’ for an array of remotely-operated and autonomous systems which will scour home waters looking for mines.
17. HMS Stirling Castle
The traditional cutting of the commissioning cake was shared between the Commanding Officer’s wife, Helen Harper, and the youngest sailor on board, Able Seaman Brinley Pollard. Photo: Michael Gillen