Navy engineers rewarded for excellence at home and abroad

A team of Royal Navy engineers who carried out vital work on minehunters both overseas and in the UK have triumphed at an awards ceremony.

The sailors worked in arduous conditions for six months on board HMS Atherstone in the Gulf before turning their skills to HMS Cattistock in Portsmouth.

Their work has been recognised at the Navy’s Fleet Efficiency Awards where they won the prize for engineering excellence.

The 18-strong team – part of the Second Mine Countermeasures Squadron’s Crew 6 – comprises both marine and weapon engineers.

In the Gulf they were faced with maintaining one of the Navy’s oldest ships to keep her available for high-tempo operations.

Back in the UK they had the challenge of returning HMS Cattistock to sea following an 18-month refit which included installing new engines.

Lieutenant Commander Simon Cox, the crew’s Commanding Officer, said: “This award means a huge amount to an incredibly talented and dedicated team, who epitomise the finest RN values of team-work, professionalism and ‘can-do’ attitude.

“When ranked alongside the equally impressive achievements of our sister surface ships deployed across the globe last year, it is humbling to be singled out and receive such praise and recognition for the efforts of a concentrated team of highly-motivated individuals.”

The award was presented in Cattistock’s newly-enlarged engine room by Second Sea Lord, Vice-Admiral Jonathan Woodcock.