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Plymouth frigate HMS St Albans completes gruelling North Atlantic mission
22 August 2025
Five hundred family members and friends welcomed the 200 men and women of HMS St Albans home to Plymouth today.
Plymouth Sound echoed to the boom of an 11-gun salute from the warship as she passed the Hoe, bringing the curtain down on nearly 150 days on operations in some of the harshest, most demanding environments.
The Type 23 frigate is a dedicated submarine hunter and has been deployed since April in home waters, the North Atlantic, Norwegian Sea, and Arctic Ocean conducting numerous patrols safeguarding the UK’s nuclear deterrent, securing UK waters and areas of interests and working with NATO allies.
As well as monitoring below the waves for submarine activity, the Saint also supported efforts on the surface to shadow contacts of interest passing the UK, tracking the progress of the frigate Admiral Golovko through the Channel (https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news/2025/april/26/250425-royal-navy-warships-hms-st-albans-and-hms-mersey-track-russian-warships-in-uk-waters ).
Crucial to her counter submarine patrols was constant presence of her Merlin Mk2 helicopter from 814 Naval Air Squadron based at RNAS Culdrose, using sonobuoys (listening devices dropped in the ocean) and sonar to locate submerged adversaries.
The helicopter flew nearly 170 hours on sorties which varied from submarine hunting to transporting VIPs, including the Norwegian Defence Minister.
HMS St Albans has been aided in her important task by both UK and NATO tankers, including RFA Tideforce, keeping her in the hunt rather than returning to port to refuel.
The ship conducted ten Replenishment at Seas while deployed, embarking enough fuel to fill 1¼ Olympic-size swimming pools. That sustained the frigate as she clocked up nearly 30,000 nautical miles since leaving Plymouth – the equivalent of around 1⅓ times around the globe.
To underline the importance of their mission, the ship’s company were thanked in person by Major General Rich Cantrill RM, the UK Commander Maritime Operations, who joined HMS St Albans in Plymouth Sound.
After nearly 150 days away, it is wonderful to receive such a warm welcome home following a highly successful and demanding deployment.
Commanding Officer Commander Matthew Teare said the substantial turnout for the ship in Devonport Naval Base this morning underscored the constant support loved ones had given his sailors over the past four months.
He continued: “The work we have done, often in rough weather conditions and challenging environments, has directly supported regional stability and reinforced NATO’s Northern Flank. None of this would have been possible, of course, without the extraordinary support of our families, friends, and loved ones, and today is as much a celebration of them as it is of the ship’s achievements.
“After nearly 150 days away, it is wonderful to receive such a warm welcome home following a highly successful and demanding deployment.
“The ship’s company have demonstrated an untiring commitment to the protection of the UK and her NATO allies and I’m immensely proud of all they have achieved. They could rightfully hold their heads high when they were reunited with their families today.”
Marine engineer Engineering Technician Harry Jackson is the youngest member of the ship’s company – and the first person off HMS St Albans once the gangway was across in the naval base.
“It’s been a long and tiring deployment,” he said, “but there have also been some decent trips and some adventure. It’s great to get home and see my family and friends.”