On July 24 and 25 HMS "Explorer" (P164) and "Example" (P165) patrols ships of the UK Royal Navy paid a friendly visit to the State Seaport of Klaipėda.
The ships stopped by in Klaipėda Seaport after visits in Finland, Estonia and Latvia for a short one-day visit while touring the Baltic Sea area and the majority of the Baltic Sea ports. Patrol HMS "Explorer" (P164) and "Example" (P165) are assigned to the UK Royal Navy's universities which provide training for naval personnel. The major part of the ship crews is manned by cadets on apprenticeships in the patrol ships. The major objective of the voyage in the Baltic Sea is to improve practical skills of the trained officers.
During the visit in Klaipėda Chief of Staff of the Lithuanian Navy Capt (N) Arūnas Mockus held a reception for Cdr H. M. Cochrane, Commander of the Portsmouth Fleet of the UK Royal Navy, command of the Lithuanian patrol ships squadron, and commanders of the visiting patrol ships. After the reception a tributing ceremony for the British prisoners of war killed during World War I was held at Vitės Cemetery of Klaipėda, UK and Lithuanian naval personnel laid wreathes of flowers at the tombs of the killed troops. The ceremony was also attended by the first UK Defence Attaché accredited to Lithuania David Holliday, a resident of Lithuania for many years.
After the visit in Klaipėda on July 25 the ships will continue the voyage across the Baltic Sea heading for the Polish ports.
LITHNAVY information
Photos by Sgt Audrius Vitkauskas
