FINN(COM) DAILY RECORD: MONDAY, 16 AUGUST 2004
Compiled by J. Brock (FINN)
HMS LEEDS CASTLE: SEA DAY DEMONSTRATES THE RIGHT STUFF
By J. Brock (FINN)
Some might not want to leave their beds on Friday the 13th but for me, just tempt with a sea day and I’m off. Telepathically luring me to come hither, an invite to spend a day on HMS LEEDS CASTLE defies superstition and, with the help of Maj. Mark Brennon, who provided transport to Mare Harbour, I boarded The Falkland Islands Patrol Vessel at 0900 and was greeted in the wardroom by Lieutenant Commander Iain Lowery RN, who briefed me and other guests about the ship and about the events planned for us. After that and the safety brief we went to the bridge and watched while crewmembers untied the ship from its moorings. HMS CARDIFF and RFA GOLD ROVER joined HMS LEEDS CASTLE as she left Mare Harbour for the open sea.
We began manoeuvres with the other ships by getting into convoy with RFA GOLD ROVER in front and HMS CARDIFF behind. Each ship took it in turn to take over command of the task group as we entered the open ocean at the mouth of the harbour. The XO explained that the OOW Manoeuvres and RAS Approaches were like the ships dancing on the sea. As the vessels changed position and approached each other, one could discern a pattern woven into each step. To keep things going smoothly, the Navigation Officers and Helmsmen concentrated on the task at hand, giving and receiving orders and executing them with precision. Taking her navigational turn on HMS LEEDS CASTLE, just one month out of training, was Sub Lieutenant Frances Guy. She instructed the helmsman to manoeuvre HMS LEEDS CASTLE on course while HMS CARDIFF cut directly in front of the vessel.
The morning’s events complete, an Indian lunch was enjoyed in the wardroom. This was a good chance to meet the Officers who make HMS LEEDS CASTLE run like clockwork. It was also a chance to meet and chat with Major Jill Hamlin, from MPA Media Ops., who contributes copy and photos to FINN and SARTMA.
Gunnery exercises followed Lunch, with a simulated task of sinking an imaginary enemy ship. Following on was the winching down of Squadron Leader Jason Morley from a Sea King Search and Rescue Helicopter from 78 Squadron and two fly pasts, one by a C-130 and the other by an F-£ Tornado Aircraft. All of this activity was topped off with a tour of the ship, including the Command Centre, where ship-wide fire fighting and safety procedures were explained and the galley where approximately 132 meals a day are prepared.
As afternoon tea was taken, we returned to Mare Harbour. FINN and SARTMA would like to thank the Captain and Crew of HMS LEEDS CASTLE for an excellent day out. Enjoy the photos!
FALKLAND ISLANDS GUN CLUB
2004 WINTER SHOTGUN SEASON
Week 7 of the Falklands Gun Club Winter League saw some blistering scores from Jon Clarke and Henry McLeod. Both Shooters shot 100% of the birds with henry only shooting one bird with his second Barrel. Ricardo Leyton (24) came in second and Jon Butler (23 came third. Steve Dent continued with his poor recent scores and was only able to score 22 from 30.
Scores for the week;
| | Week 7 | ||
| Sporting | |||
| Name | Shots Faced | Hits | % |
| Jon Clark | 30 | 30 | 100% |
| Henry McLeod | 30 | 30 | 100% |
| Ricardo Leyton | 30 | 24 | 80% |
| Jon Butler | 30 | 23 | 77% |
| Steve Dent | 30 | 22 | 73% |
DTL next so practice on the range on Sunday will be DTL Practice. See you then.
August 2004
Information about the Falklands - for residents, visitors and others - is now available on a new website at www.falklands.info
The website is the brainchild of Jason Lewis, who wanted a project that would fit around time with his young children. He enlisted the help of wife Alison Inglis to produce reviews for some of her favourite Falklands books, and with her enthusiastic assistance the website soon grew to over 200 pages in just 6 months.
Falklands Info covers a lot of ground, including current weather conditions, exhaustive coverage of local clubs and contacts and a links database which contains information on over 160 South Atlantic related websites. The history section is Alison’s major contribution, including a chronology of significant events in the Islands’ history and a timeline following the events of the 1982 Falklands War.
“We want to expand and improve the content of the website, and in particular to get our visitors much more involved” says webmaster Jason Lewis “Future work will include launching a discussion forum, and also a photo gallery where people can upload their favourite Falkland Islands Photos. We hope to include more material of interest to prospective tourists.”
“We want our visitors input” says Jason “We don’t pretend we know what they want and would welcome ideas and suggestions from everyone.”
“When you look at the website we hope you will find lots to interest you, from articles on Falklands life to poetry to a range of historical documents” says Alison Inglis, co-author. “We are working on strengthening the natural history input, and I would particularly welcome articles from members of the public on any topic related to the Falklands.”
If you have any queries or comments you can contact the authors either by the website or by sending an email directly to either ([email protected] or [email protected])
FIBS NEWS DIRECT: 16 AUGUST 2004
FCO OFFICIAL COMPLAINT:
The Foreign Office has officially complained to the Chilean Foreign Affairs Ministry after they denied the HMS LEEDS CASTLE authorisation to call into Punta Arenas. Laprenza Austral reports that the British Ambassador in Santiago, Richard Wilkinson, was said to have visited the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs three days before the scheduled visit with a full agenda of activities. But authorisation was still cancelled and the alternative port of Puerto Montt was suggested. The British Government was taken by surprise by the announcement and decided to cancel the ship’s visit all together to signal its disappointment. Punta Arenas Newspaper, El Murcurio now tells us that apparently the Punta Argentine Consulate complained about the visit after reading about it in the paper and that a low-ranking official from the Chilean Foreign Affairs Ministry then cancelled the visit. There was speculation before-hand as to there not being enough docking space due to part of the Chilean Task Force being present in the Port but the paper reports that the vessels left the day the Leeds Castle was due in. Argentine Foreign Affairs Minister, Rafael Bielsa, has warned Chile about its relationship with Britain over the Falklands. During a brief 24-hour visit to Chile, Dr. Bielsa said that being friendly with a certain country does not mean that you inherit its enemies. But Argentina can’t stand indifferent if Chilean Diplomats participate in the celebration by an illegitimate Government of an Argentine defeat for an example. He also made mention of the sovereignty dispute with Britain over the Islands, saying that the dispute was as alive as ever.
QUESTIONNAIRE:
The future of access to St. Helena is the subject of a questionnaire that’s been sent out to all the Saints living in the Islands. Copies have been sent out to the majority of employers in the Islands. Collection boxes have been put out in the Post Office and K-3 shop in Stanley and there will be boxes in both Naafis, 120 Reception and the Sodexho Office at MPA. All copies have to be in by Saturday, 21 August.
DARTS:
Saturday afternoon saw the top 32 men and top 16 ladies thrash it out in the annual Globe Darts Competition. The final saw Colin Smith take the title for the men and Sheila Harvey for the women.
POLICE NEWS:
The Police had another fairly quiet weekend with only two incidents to report. On Saturday at 1100 there was a small Road Traffic Accident outside the Seafish Chandlary. A vehicle reversed into a stationary vehicle. The driver is now helping with enquiries. Sunday at 1745, Police received a 999 call from a House on Goss Road, where it was found that the occupants were having a small domestic. The situation was resolved after the Police Arrived. No further action is to be taken.
HARBOUR SHIPPING AND FISHING NEWS:
There were three trawlers in for Licensing over the weekend, with another two arriving in this morning. The Krill Trawler, Top Ocean, left Port William yesterday afternoon, only to have to come back into Berkley Sound for engine repairs. Joining her at the moment is the tanker, Zalgares. Tanker, Libra is alongside FIPASS at the moment and the St. Brandon is due in to join her sometime today. There are 36 vessels fishing in the zone, where on the whole catches all around are variable and described as average for the time of year.
(100X Transcription Service)
