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IRON DUKE to visit Hull this weekend
First visit to port in four years...

Hull’s very own Royal Navy warship HMS Iron Duke will be visiting the city this weekend (26-29 April 2008) for the first time in four years.

All ships and submarines of the Royal Navy are affiliated or ‘twinned’ to different towns, cities and regions. This strengthens the Royal Navy’s ties with important communities, including organisations such as naval associations, youth groups and charities.

The 133 metre long Type 23 frigate is no different and enjoys close ties with her hometown of Kingston Upon Hull, the Yorkshire regiment, and Sea Cadet unit TS Iron Duke

Whilst alongside 11 Quay, King George Dock, the ship will be open to the general public on Sunday, 27 April from 11am to 5pm.This is a chance for visitors to meet the ship’s crew and learn more about life on the ocean waves and what it is like to live and work onboard a warship. Admission is free.

She will also welcome on board a number of other visitors during her three-day stay, including hosting a reception for around 120 guests on Saturday evening and organising a number of ship’s tours for local schools and Sea Cadet units including Castleford’s Training Ship (TS) Unicorn and TS Iron Duke.

On Monday, four local catering students from Hull College will get a taster of what it means to be a chef on board a Royal Navy warship when they help prepare lunch for the 180-strong crew, and then enjoy a full guided tour of the ship.

Also on Monday, the ship will host a Careers Forum for local Head Teachers and Royal Navy Careers Officers from across the region. The forum aims to encourage a closer working relationship between the two groups and learn how they can each benefit from one another in providing career opportunities for young people across the country.

HMS Iron Duke’s Commanding Officer, Commander Mark Newland Royal Navy said: “My ship’s company and I are hugely excited at the prospect of visiting Hull.

“We have many affiliations in the area and it will be great to have them visit us onboard. I am also particularly pleased that we are able to make the ship open to visitors, and look forward to welcoming the public onboard to see their warship and meet its crew.”

Lord Mayor of Kingston upon Hull and Admiral of the Humber, Brenda Petch, said: “We are delighted to welcome HMS Iron Duke to the city. I would encourage members of the public to take this unique opportunity to go aboard the vessel and meet the service men and women that protect our shores and give their lives for the safety of our country.”

Following a multi-million pound refit at Portsmouth Naval Base, HMS Iron Duke and her ship’s company have just completed an intensive eight week period of sea and harbour training around the South coast in preparation for her forthcoming deployment to the North Atlantic. Due to her immense versatility, HMS Iron Duke will undertake a range of operational roles, from working alongside US forces in counter drug operations to being on stand by to help out with disaster relief.

HMS Iron Duke is one of the most advanced ships in the Royal Navy, carrying an array of weapons and sensors. These include Harpoon Anti-Ship Missiles, Stingray Torpedoes, Vertical Launch Sea Wolf Anti-Air Missiles and a 4.5" Mk 8 gun for shore bombardment. The effectiveness of these ships is enhanced by their stealth design, which reduces their radar signature significantly. She can be employed in a variety of roles but her primary role is anti-submarine operations for which she is well equipped with the latest computer assisted Sonar systems and communications equipment. She carries a Mk 8 Lynx Helicopter which can also be used in a variety of roles.

In addition to their war fighting roles, the ship is trained to conduct a wide range of other tasks. These include embargo operations using boarding teams inserted from the ship's boats or helicopter, disaster relief work and surveillance operations.

IRON DUKE was built in Glasgow in 1992