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HMS Charger crew 'couldn’t have asked for a better visit'





Crew and guests on HMS Charger displaying the White Ensign and the ship's Caithness flag.
Crew and guests on HMS Charger displaying the White Ensign and the ship's Caithness flag.

The commanding officer of HMS Charger said it was a privilege to bring the ship to Caithness at the weekend.

The crew paid a visit to Vulcan and also welcomed a group of community representatives on board for a demonstration of the ship's capabilities.

The 49-tonne HMS Charger is a fast inshore patrol vessel for the Royal Navy's Coastal Forces Squadron.

The commanding officer, Lieutenant Andrew Bonham, was brought up in Thurso until the age of seven. His father David worked at the Vulcan naval reactor test establishment, formerly HMS Vulcan.

HMS Charger arrived in Scrabster on Friday and stayed until Sunday.

Lt Bonham said: "I couldn’t have asked for a better visit to Thurso. WO Dave Fullwood gave us a fantastic and informative tour of Vulcan, and we had a phenomenal turnout of VIPs for our capability demonstration on Sunday afternoon.

"It’s such a privilege to have the chance to represent the Royal Navy in parts of the country that we don’t often interact with. The armed forces belong to everyone, and it’s important to have the chance to show the public what their ships and sailors are capable of."

HMS Charger during Sunday's capability demonstration, with Scrabster harbour in the background.
HMS Charger during Sunday's capability demonstration, with Scrabster harbour in the background.

Highland councillor Matthew Reiss and his wife Alison were joined by Highland councillors Ron Gunn (chairman of the Caithness Committee) and Jan McEwan (provost of Wick), along with Jillian Bundy (chairperson of Caithness West Community Council), Martin Bundy (Vulcan), Thelma Mackenzie (chairperson of Thurso Community Council), Trudy Morris (chief executive of Caithness Chamber of Commerce), Andy Pearson (RNLI) and Anne Nicoll (Thurso High School).

They were given a tour of the ship, including practical explanations, with tea/coffee and buns laid on, followed by a demonstration of life-saving drill picking up a drowning "casualty".

Councillor Reiss said: "From speaking with the crew and Lt Bonham, the merits of careers in the armed forces were very clear – so if you're young and looking for an extremely varied and exciting career, the Royal Navy has much to offer."

HMS Charger has seen active deployment in the English Channel assisting Border Force.

HMS Charger in Scrabster harbour.
HMS Charger in Scrabster harbour.
Lieutenant Andrew Bonham speaking to some of the guests.
Lieutenant Andrew Bonham speaking to some of the guests.
View from the covered bridge of HMS Charger.
View from the covered bridge of HMS Charger.
Guests on the ship witnessed a life-saving drill.
Guests on the ship witnessed a life-saving drill.
Inside the engine room of HMS Charger, part of the Coastal Forces Squadron.
Inside the engine room of HMS Charger, part of the Coastal Forces Squadron.

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