S.Atlantic : British Forces Greet Ellen MacArthur
Submitted by SARTMA.com (Juanita Brock) 17.01.2005 (Article Archived on 31.01.2005)

As Ellen MacCarthur enters the 47th day (13 January 2005) of her single-handed circumnavigation of the globe, in her trimaran B&Q, she can take some comfort from the fact that she has safely sailed through one of the most dangerous maritime regions in the world, Cape Horn. Battling through 30+ knots of wind sustained and reaching up to 50 knots in squalls, she has begun her northerly passage through the South Atlantic to the West of the Falkland Islands. Ben Taylor of Media Ops at MPA tells us more.

BRITISH FORCES GREET ELLEN MCARTHUR

 As Ellen MacCarthur enters the 47th day (13 January 2005) of her single-handed circumnavigation of the globe, in her trimaran B&Q, she can take some comfort from the fact that she has safely sailed through one of the most dangerous maritime regions in the world, Cape Horn.  Battling through 30+ knots of wind sustained and reaching up to 50 knots in squalls, she has begun her northerly passage through the South Atlantic to the West of the Falkland Islands.

On the same day Ellen left UK waters to commence her epic journey, back in November 2004, the Royal Navy Destroyer HMS GLOUCESTER also left the UK, albeit some 50 nautical miles behind her, enroute to the South Atlantic and the Falkland Islands.  The Fighting G, as HMS GLOUCESTER is affectionately known, was deploying to the region as part of a 4 month Atlantic Patrol Tasking (South) deployment, which encompasses the South Atlantic, Falkland Islands and South Georgia.

As Ellen pursued her quest to break the world record of single-handedly circumnavigating the globe, HMS GLOUCESTER proceeded on a more direct route to the Falkland Islands, visiting a number of countries in West Africa and South America before arriving in the region in early January 2005.  With Ellen leaving the UK on the same day as the Fighting G, there has been obvious interest on board as to her progress, which has included regular updates from the Team Ellen web page. 

As HMS GLOUCESTER routinely patrols the Falkland Islands Commercial Zone (FICZ) (an area protected 365 days a year by the Royal Navy, Royal Air Force and Falkland Islands Fishery Protection vessels), she was in an ideal position to rendezvous with Ellen as she sailed North passed the famous British islands.   B&Q was located early this morning by HMS GLOUCESTER's lynx helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, and guided the Royal Navy destroyer on to a parallel course with Ellen's yacht.  Following the initial contact with the lynx aircrew, the Commanding Officer, Commander Russ Tuppen Royal Navy spoke to Ellen on VHF radio.

Commander Tuppen said, “This is a proud moment for HMS GLOUCESTER and the British Forces based in the Falkland Islands.  Ellen left the start line off Ushant on the same day as GLOUCESTER, in November 2004, and it is a privilege for us to be able to rendezvous with her embarked in B&Q, off the Falkland Islands, an area which remains steeped in British maritime history.  As Ellen sails north on her record-breaking attempt to circumnavigate the world, it has been a privilege to offer her some morale support from us all onboard and we wish her luck in a successful 2005 and Bon Voyage.  We look forward to seeing her again as we return home to Portsmouth in March.

As the Fighting G detached from Ellen and B&Q, to continue her patrol of the Falklands, GLOUCESTER hoisted 'Code Uniform Whisky' on the Starboard Outer Yard-Arm meaning, 'I wish you a pleasant voyage', leaving Ellen to continue on her way North East and home. 

BACKGROUND

HMS GLOUCESTER is a Type 42 destroyer, with her primary role being Air Defence, using her Sea Dart missile system.  She also has a 4.5-inch gun and a Lynx helicopter, as well as Close Range defensive weapons.  She is 141 metres long and displaces 4500 tonnes.  Powered by Rolls Royce engines, controllable pitch propellers combine high manoeuverability, low noise and a speed in excess of 30 knots.  She has a complement of 250 men and women. 

The Ship arrived in the Falkland Islands in early Jan 05 and is now conducting maritime patrols of the waters surrounding the Islands and South Georgia.  In addition, she will participate in a number of exercises with other British Army and RAF units also located in the Falkland Islands. HMS GLOUCESTER is due to be relieved by the Devonport based Frigate HMS PORTLAND in Mar 05.