Falklands : New Captain for HMS Clyde
Submitted by Falkland Islands News Network (Juanita Brock) 21.02.2009 (Article Archived on 07.03.2009)
On 11 February 2009, Lt Cdr Ian Clarke assumed command of HMS CLYDE from Lt Cdr Graham Lovatt at the ships base port of East Cove, Falkland Islands.
LIEUTENANT COMMANDER IAN CLARKE ASSUMES COMMAND OF THE FALKLAND ISLAND’S OFFSHORE PATROL VESSEL (HELICOPTER), HMS CLYDE.
On 11 February 2009, Lt Cdr Ian Clarke assumed command of HMS CLYDE from Lt Cdr Graham Lovatt at the ships base port of East Cove, Falkland Islands.
Ian Clarke joined the Royal Navy in 1991. He served in the frigate HMS COVENTRY in the Adriatic Sea supporting peace-keeping operations in former Yugoslavia. This was followed by a memorable appointment as the Navigating and Operations Officer of the Hong Kong patrol ship HMS PEACOCK combating illegal immigration and smuggling, and culminating in the departure with HMY BRITANNIA after the handover of sovereignty to China in 1997. Subsequently he joined the destroyer HMS NEWCASTLE as Navigating Officer, deploying to carry out counter-narcotics operations and provide humanitarian assistance to Montserrat following volcanic eruptions. In 1999-2000 he commanded the Dartmouth Navigation Training Ship HMS ORWELL, then on completion of training become Principal Warfare Officer, and then Operations Officer in the destroyer HMS MANCHESTER. Before joining HMS CLYDE he spent 18 months in command of another River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel HMS TYNE, performing Fishery Protection and UK Maritime Security duties.
On assuming command of HMS CLYDE, Lt Cdr Clarke said:
“I am very pleased to be here in the Falkland Islands and proud to be in command of such a capable vessel as HMS CLYDE. I am fully committed to our mission aims here; that of deterring any foreign aggression towards British sovereign territory, and to reassure the people of the Falkland Islands of the UK Government’s commitment to the right of self determination. Moreover I am personally looking forward to exploring the islands and meeting the people who live there”.
HMS CLYDE will be in Stanley, alongside at FIPASS East, from Friday 13 February to Wednesday 18 February 2009. The ship will be open to visitors on Saturday 14 February 2009 between 1.30pm and 4.00pm. No booking is required to attend.
Source: Media Ops – MPC
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