Royal Navy warship HMS Severn will pay a six-day visit to her affiliated city of Newport on Friday.
It will be a busy few days for the ship’s company, which has been linked to the city since her launch in 2003.
On Friday, the ship will sail up the River Usk to Newport and will host a lunch party for local dignitaries before a later party for invited guests from the local area.
HMS Severn’s crew will then take part in Newport’s Civic Parade on Sunday June 19, exercising her right to march through the city bearing arms, a right she has been afforded since receiving the freedom of the city in 2006.
During the busy visit, the ship will also bid farewell to current Commanding Officer, Lt Cdr Catherine Jordan, and welcome her new captain, Lt Cdr Marcus Hember.
The handover will take place on June 21 with Lt Cdr Hember then conducting an official call on the Mayor of Newport.
Lt Cdr Catherine Jordan, said: “This will be my fourth visit to Newport as the Commanding Officer of HMS Severn, and the second where I have brought the ship in.
“We always receive the warmest welcome and it is undoubtedly the highlight of the ship’s calendar. We are very proud of our affiliation to the city and hope to do the people of Newport proud during the civic parade.
“I am very sad to be leaving Severn, and the special bond she has with Newport, but thrilled that I have managed another visit before I hand over, and I know Marcus will receive the same outstanding support from this fine city.”
One of three River Class offshore patrol vessels, HMS Severn, on behalf of the Royal Navy’s Fishery Protection Squadron, co-operates with other Government agencies enforcing marine law.
Designed to ensure the sustainability of fish stocks for future generations, HMS Severn can spend in excess of 300 days at sea each year, whatever the weather, patrolling British fishery limits.
With a crew of 30, she is 79m long, with a breadth of 13m and a displacement of 1,677 tonnes. Her twin diesel engines can propel her to a top speed of 20 knots, giving Severn a range of 7,800 nautical miles.