(12th April 2001)
Herald Ends Final Deployment
With her paying off pennant flying ocean survey vessel HMS Herald (H138) returned to Devonport on April 12th having completed her very last operational deployment. Marking the occasion the Commander-in-Chief Fleet, Admiral Sir Alan West, signaled "I have been impressed by your fortitude and determination. Do not underestimate the significance of your invaluable contribution, not only to hydrography but also to wider defence objectives".
Herald's final deployment saw her travel to Cyprus, where she undertook a survey of coastal waters and rescued the crew of a distressed Greek ferry, and to Beirut, where she became the first British warship to visit in four years.
Herald will shortly sail to Portsmouth to prepare for decommissioning, scheduled for May 31st.