HMS St Albans Visits Iceland

Portsmouth-based warship HMS St Albans has just visited the Iceland capital Reykjavik to further strengthen ties with the country - a fellow NATO member.

The Type 23 frigate hosted a reception and capability demonstration for more than 60 foreign ambassadors and British Embassy staff. The guests witnessed several displays including fire fighting, first aid, and search and rescue helicopter operations.

HMS St Albans also opened her hatches to the public during the five-day visit. Several hundred Icelanders toured the upper deck and Merlin helicopter to see first-hand the ship’s capabilities.

During the visit the ship’s rugby team took on Iceland in a friendly match – the first British side to play in the country.

On completion of the visit HMS St Albans sailed with the foreign ambassadors and British embassy staff accompanied by the Icelandic coastguard vessel Thor.

The ships conducted joint maritime patrols and a winching exercise with the Merlin helicopter. Afterwards they sailed into Hvalfordur, a local fjord used by the Arctic convoys during the Second World War where HMS St Albans conducted a memorial service and wreath-laying to commemorate the 70th anniversary of the Arctic convoys.