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HMS Enterprise due home tomorrow after 15-month deployment to Asia-Pacific

HMS Enterprise in Japan last October. Picture: LPhot Alex Ceolin
15 October 2020
A busy 15-month deployment is coming to an end for Royal Navy ship HMS Enterprise.

The survey ship is due to return to her Devonport base tomorrow after sailing more than 53,000 nautical miles, starting off in France, then travelling to the Asia-Pacific and back again.

Enterprise has sailed through two oceans and six seas and visited 15 different ports at 11 different countries since leaving the UK last summer.

The vessel operates a three-crew system – sailors spend three months on board before flying home to complete courses and training.

While away, the ship was involved in many memorable events including hosting HRH the Prince of Wales in Tokyo last October to mark the enthronement of Japan’s new emperor Naruhito.

In Japan, the ship tracked Super Typhoon Hagibis and also trained with the country’s navy, meeting up with destroyer JS Teruzuki.

The ship also offered support to Lebanon earlier this year following the devastating explosion at the Port of Beirut.

As well as dropping off crucial supplies and personnel, Enterprise surveyed the port to ensure it was safe for future shipping.

Other notable moments for the ship’s company include winning a Christmas Eve football match against the Republic of Korea’s navy team while alongside in Busan and visiting Hai Phong in Vietnam.

Throughout the deployment Enterprise has established close working relationships with the UK’s partners around the world.

The sailors also got to show their expertise in surveying the world’s seas.

Using her on board equipment, she gathered data in the South China Sea, Indian Ocean, Mediterranean Sea and the Black Sea.

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