Bulwark’s winter deployment opens with a visit to Germany’s greatest port

You wait a year for a visit from the Royal Navy and then a flurry sail up the Elbe into Germany’s greatest port in a matter of weeks.

After carrier HMS Illustrious just before Christmas and fishery protection ship HMS Tyne just after the festive season, Britain’s flagship HMS Bulwark will be sailing into Hamburg next week for a four-day visit.

Much of the assault ship’s year will be devoured by the Olympic security mission – she’ll spend several weeks anchored off Weymouth serving as the command centre for safeguarding the Games’ sailing events – but before then, more regular duties are the order of the day, notably leading the Royal Navy’s involvement in Cold Response, the regular exercise testing NATO’s ability to fight by land, sea and air in an Arctic environment.

Before the Devonport-based ship makes for the fjords of northern Norway, she’ll be stopping in Hamburg for a series of high-profile public events, hosting VIPs, taking part in sporting fixtures, and showing the good burghers of the Hanseatic city what she can do.

Bulwark will be holding two days of what the Germans call ‘open ship’ – known throughout the RN as ‘ship open to visitors’ – Saturday February 11 (10am-1pm) and Sunday February 12 (2-5pm).

Billed by her Commanding Officer Capt Alex Burton as the Royal Navy’s ‘Swiss army knife’ – capable of doing pretty much anything – there’s nothing like Bulwark in the German Navy’s inventory… and there’s no city quite like Hamburg when it comes to welcoming mariners.

Capt Burton said:

“We are delighted to be visiting the historic city of Hamburg and look forward to developing our already close relationship with the armed forces of Germany.

"My sailors and marines are greatly looking forward to demonstrating Bulwark’s capability and being able to have some time to enjoy all that Hamburg has to offer.”

Bulwark’s due to arrive at the Überseebrücke in Hamburg – barely half a mile from the delights of the Reeperbahn and a similar distance from the more cultured sights of the city centre – around 3pm on Thursday February 9.

Following Bulwark’s departure, Hamburgers have to wait until the spring to the White Ensign again; helicopter carrier HMS Ocean is due to visit the port in May.