Following an active period of training at sea and after transiting the Dover Straights, North Sea and Norwegian Fjords, Diamond visited Stavanger, Norway.
By happy coincidence, the port is twinned with the Ship’s affiliated City of Aberdeen with which Diamond enjoys a close relationship, having last visited in November for Armistice day.
With plenty of activities organised both onboard and in the surrounding area, the Ship’s Company made the most of the time alongside and as temperatures fell to -15°C, spirits refused to be chilled.
After an intense period of training at sea, Diamond’s sailors were able to enjoy skiing, snowboarding, curling, skating and climbing all organised by the ship’s Physical Training Instructor LPT Luke Steele.
Alongside sporting activities, representatives from the Ship visited the Egersund Churchyard to lay a wreath to commemorate the loss of the five British sailors at the Battle of Jutland 100 years ago.
Officer Cadet Brown said “Whilst in Stavanger it was important to us that we pay our respects to British sailors who are buried so far from home.”
For the Ship’s Executive Warrant Officer, the visit also marked a significant milestone as he was awarded a clasp to his Long Service and Good Conduct Medal having completed over 30 years in the Royal Navy.
The presentation was made followed a successful Penguin Racing Charity Event organised by the WO & SR Mess raising over £200 in support of Hosanna House & Children’s Pilgrimage Trust Group 186 Royal Navy.
As for the ISA Officer Cadets, this was their last stop with Diamond as they progress in their training to becoming Royal Navy Officers.
Following two weeks shadowing members of the Ship’s Company across all Departments, the OCs hosted an Hawaiian-themed BBQ night in the hangar.
As Leading Steward King said “Putting on a BBQ in this weather was really good, it was a great way for them to say thank you and for us all to interact one last time”.
HMS Diamond leaves Stavanger bearing gifts from the City of Stavanger and Port Authority to carry to Aberdeen; these will be landed by boat during Diamond’s onward programme of internal training and Air and Maritime Integration training with the RAF.
