(February 2001)
Ocean Sails to Relieve Illustrious
Helicopter Carrier HMS Ocean has sailed to relieve HMS Illustrious in the Middle East, although bad weather delayed her departure.
Ocean was due to leave Devonport on January 31st but heavy storms - including winds of 30 knots - prevented her departure by a day.
As scheduled Ocean then remained in British waters for over a week, although her departure from Portsmouth on February 11th was again delayed by a day because of bad weather.
HMS Ocean was last in the Middle East at the end of last year, as part of Exercise Saif Sareea. Upon the conclusion of the exercise, Ocean was forced to return to Devonport for a pre-planned period of maintence, despite the likelihood of military operations against Afghanistan. Instead, HMS Illustrious remained on station and was converted for helicopter operations.
Ocean is carrying 250 members of 45 Commando Royal Marines. She will relieve Illustrious as Britain's flagship in the region, allowing Illustrious and members of 40 Commando to return to the UK, having been away from home for six months.
HMS Ocean will be joined in the Middle East by the Type 22 Frigate HMS Campbeltown. She left Devonport on February 18th and will relieve her sistership HMS Cornwall.