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Strait torque: Royal and Moroccan Navies train together off Tangier
10 October 2024
Gibraltar squadron flagship HMS Cutlass left the Rock behind for a short hop to Africa to practise the safe passage of shipping in and out of the Med.
Around 300 container ships/tankers pass through the narrow waters which separate the European and African continents, making the Strait of Gibraltar one of the planet’s key maritime choke points.
Fast patrol boats HMS Cutlass and her sister Dagger typically confine themselves to providing security and reassurance to vessels in territorial waters.
But to expand their maritime security skills – and broad horizons generally – Cutlass made the three-dozen-mile trip to Tangier, a fairly regular overseas haunt for the Gibraltar Squadron down the years with both navies sharing a common interest in strait security.
For Cutlass, this was her second foreign visit of 2024 having visited Portugal back in May. She’s not been to Morocco before – though her sister Dagger did cross the strait last year, to pave the way for strengthening the relations between the two Royal Navies.
Cutlass’ crew received a hearty welcome on their arrival into Tangier from both local authorities and the Royal Moroccan Navy.
Lieutenant Commander Henry Kilby, Gibraltar Squadron’s Commanding Officer, paid his respects to his hosts with a visit to the senior Moroccan commanders in Tangiers – at 5th Naval Base Captain Zitouni, the Base Commander and Senior Captain Omari, the Commander of the Northern Maritime Sector, and at the garrison by its commander Senior Colonel Htoto.
These days, there are very few operations that are undertaken by a single nation and to be operationally ready, we must put the time into training and integrating. I am delighted to be here in Tangier doing just that.
Beyond the official hospitality, the calls allowed Lt Cdr Kilby to underline both the importance of UK-Moroccan relations and discuss tightening ties between both the two countries and their navies.
The presence of HMS Cutlass and her sister Dagger just across the Strait of Gibraltar allows for greater possibilities than offered by their forebears Scimitar and Sabre, being much more capable – and modern – craft.
To that end, after official engagements alongside and planning with the commanding officer of patrol boat Rodman GC-131, the two vessels put to sea for a series of combined manoeuvres and exercises in the strait, experienced by the UK’s Ambassador to Morocco, Simon Martin.
He not only watched the duo in action, but took the helm of Cutlass (under the guidance of her crew) for some of the joint workout, which included towing training and Officer of the Watch manoeuvres in close formation.
The combined training ended with Cutlass conducting a ‘Formation Foxtrot’, sailing past the GC-131 and exchanging salutes.
Mr Martin was delighted by the impression the Royal Navy vessel and her sailors made during the relatively short visit.
“The professionalism, skill, and dedication demonstrated by both our Royal Navies throughout this exercise have been exemplary.
“It was a pleasure to witness the strength of UK - Morocco cooperation at sea. It is clear that maritime interoperability will continue to play a vital role in ensuring wider security in the region.”
Lt Cdr Kilby said he and his sailors had thoroughly enjoyed and appreciated “a fantastic opportunity to enhance our skills together with our Moroccan partners and friends.”
He continued: “These days, there are very few operations that are undertaken by a single nation and to be operationally ready, we must put the time into training and integrating. I am delighted to be here in Tangier doing just that.”
His vessel is now back on patrol around the Rock with Dagger and the ribs of the RN Gibraltar Squadron conducting their daily sovereignty patrols.