HMS Mersey

Last year the then Second Sea Lord, Vice Admiral Sir Adrian Johns, granted the Worshipful Company an affiliation with the Royal Navy warship, HMS Mersey.  She is a fishery protection ship operating in UK coastal waters.  Her current Commanding Officer is Lieutenant Commander Al Wilson Royal Navy. The Company was delighted to entertain him and his wife, Lucy, at the last Installation Dinner.  The ship has a larger complement than normal in order that she can be kept almost permanently on patrol.  When the Commanding Officer is unavailable the Executive Officer assumes command.  The Company hopes that HMS Mersey may be able to provide a Royal Naval guard for some Company occasions in the future.  The Court and the Commanding Officer are presently agreeing a Memorandum of Understanding, which will formalize the parties’ relationship.

HMS Mersey’s patrols often involve resolving disputes, whether by a cheery hail and a message of correction or a fully armed smaller vessel, launched from the ship, to arrest the miscreants.  It can be said that she is at the cutting edge of dispute resolution in the coastal waters of the United Kingdom. The Worshipful Master and Senior Warden are hoping to take passage in the ship later in the summer. 

In September HMS Mersey will be berthed in the Docklands of the Port of London for an international equipment exhibition where it is hoped that she will be flying the company’s flag during her duties.  A reception on board for Company members during this ship visit is at the planning stage.   

Jonathan Wyatt
Liaison Officer for the Court