The following images were taken by me whilst crewing River Class Minesweepers during RNR continuous training periods (CTP) in the summers of 1991 and 1992.
HMS Dovey (nearest to camera) & HMS Spey
HMS Dovey & HMS Spey
HMS Dovey & HMS Spey
HMS Dovey & HMS Spey
HMS Dovey (M2005) and HMS Spey (M2013) exercising manoeuvres at sea (July 1992).
HMS Dovey was built in 1985 and sold to Bangladesh in 1994. Renamed BNS Surovi; is currently active.
HMS Spey (M2013), was built in 1986 and was sold to Brazil in 1998. Renamed Bocaina; currently active as a patrol corvette.
HMS Itchen (M2009) in July 1991
HMS Itchen (M2009)
HMS Itchen was a River class Minesweeper built in 1985. Sold to the Brazilian Navy in 1998.
Renamed Bracui; currently active as a patrol corvette.
RFA Argus (A135)
RFA Argus (A135)
RFA Argus (A135)
RFA Argus (A135)
Photos taken in July 1991 of RFA Argus at sea off Plymouth.
Italian-built, Argus was formerly the container ship MV Contender Bezant. The ship was requisitioned in 1982 for service in the Falklands War and purchased outright in 1984 for use as an Aviation Training Ship, replacing RFA Engadine. In 1991, during the Gulf War, she was fitted as an extensive and fully functional hospital to assume the additional role of Primary Casualty Receiving Ship. In 2009, the PCRS role became the ship's primary function. Argus is due to remain in service until 2024.
Looking aft along the sweep deck of a minesweeper during Officer of the Watch (OOW), manoeuvres at sea.
RNR crew members practising weapon drills on the ships main armament; a 1943 vintage Bofors 40/60 anti-aircraft gun.
RNR River Class Minesweepers alongside in Douglas Harbour, Isle of Man in July 1992.
HMS Humber (M2007) and HMS Orwell (M2011)
HMS Humber (M2007), nearest the camera, was built in 1985 and sold to Brazil in 1998. Renamed Amorim Do Valle; currently active as a buoy tender.
HMS Orwell (M2011), was built in 1985 and decommissioned in 2001.
Sold to Guyana and renamed GDFS Essequibo; currently active as a coast guard vessel.
