New Captain for HMS Dauntless

Portsmouth based Destroyer HMS Dauntless has achieved another milestone in her return to frontline operations with the Royal Navy.

Commander (Cdr) Tom Trent took command of the Type 45 Destroyer from Lieutenant Commander Chris Trevethan, on Tuesday 26 November 19.

Cdr Trent joins Dauntless from his appointment as Captain of her sister, HMS Duncan, now scheduled to refit after a recent return from successful operations in the Mediterranean, Black Sea and Middle East.

In 2020, Dauntless is planned to sail to Cammell Laird, Birkenhead, to start work on the enhancement of her power generation system.

A major investment by the MOD, this is a mid-life upgrade to the class to increase the endurance and capability of this already world-leading destroyer.

Commander Trent said: “It’s a tremendously proud day for me as I wave farewell to HMS Duncan after a successful period of front-line operations and embark in Dauntless for a very different, but no less important, phase of the life of the ship and the T45 class.

"We are all ready for the challenge and will relish being the first-of-class for this essential mid-life upgrade to this superb Destroyer”.

Cdr Trent will head up to Liverpool, for a visit to Cammell Laird in Birkenhead to engage with the commercial element of the project as HMS Dauntless continues her path back to sea.