Somerset helps Tanzanians celebrate 50 years of independence

Marching on in the heat of a tropical night, HMS Somerset’s Guard help to bring the curtain down on celebrations marking 50 years of Tanzanian independence.

The ship was in the African nation’s largest city, Dar Es Salaam, to help locals celebrate half a century since British rule ended.

After five weeks on maritime security patrols in the Indian Ocean, the Devonport-based frigate put into port for a series of events aboard and ashore, including a ceremonial sunset.

The ship hosted an official reception on behalf of the British High Commission at which Britain’s Minister for International Development, Stephen O’Brien, stood alongside the Tanzanian Minister of Defence and National Service, the Honourable Doctor Mwinyi and Vice Chief of the Tanzanian Defence Force, General Mwamunuange. Mr O’Brien’s speech – made in part in Swahili – warmly acknowledged Tanzania’s successes since independence.

Even after nightfall in December in Tanzania, it’s still in the high 20s Celsius – hence the tropical uniforms and sweat running down the faces of the Guard.

There were even more colourful celebrations ashore. The ship’s company tried their hand at some native dancing alongside locals while the frigate’s Commanding Officer Cdr Paul Bristowe and his second-in-command, Executive Officer Lt Cdr Ben Aldous were invited to the 50th anniversary independence event in the National Stadium. He said:

“The ceremony was impressive; Tanzania is proud of its independence and the event marked the occasion well.

“Throughout the day we were reminded of the importance of tradition and the achievements of Tanzania over the last 50 years.”

It wasn’t all parties and celebrations, however. As a busy commercial port, Dar Es Salaam is reliant on secure maritime trade routes and coalition Naval Ships are operating in the Indian Ocean in the on-going effort to keep piracy and other nefarious seafaring activities in the region in check.

As part of the wider effort against criminal activity on the high seas, Somerset’s RN Police briefed members of the local military police force.

The guests were invited to an evidence handling briefing aboard, where the frigate’s regulators explained, inter alia, Locard’s exchange principle – the fundamental bedrock of crime scene investigation (in its simplest form: every contact leaves a trace).

On the final evening Cdr Bristowe attended a reception on Navy Beach, hosted by Major General SS Omar, the Chief of Tanzanian Navy Command, further bonding the two navies. This cultural event was well received and brought to a close a thoroughly-successful and enjoyable visit.

Somerset has now resumed her deployment under the Combined Maritime Forces (CMF) as part of a task force patrolling the Red Sea, Gulf of Aden, Indian Ocean and the Gulf of Oman.

She does so with two additional souls aboard: on departure from Dar Es Salaam, the ship embarked two guest officers, Lt Sikuku of the Kenyan Navy and Lt Ziguye of the Tanzanian Navy.

They are staying aboard the frigate for her current patrol, training alongside the ship’s company to give all aboard an opportunity to gain a better appreciation of how other navies operate.

Lt Sikuku said:

“This is a great opportunity for me to experience life working with the Royal Navy on board a powerful warship."