Endurance Swimmer Meets Navy Crew

The swimmer met the crew of the Navy vessel while swimming the English coast (Picture: Royal Navy).

The crew of minesweeper HMS Hurworth have met the UN Patron of the Oceans as he swims 530km along the English coast.

Lewis Pugh, the son of a Royal Navy Surgeon Admiral, is conducting the swim to raise awareness about the impact of pollution on the ocean.

He swam alongside the ship off the Hampshire coast before being welcomed aboard for a hot shower and tour of Hurworth.

The Navy vessel on Tuesday shadowed a Russian warship in the English channel.

Pugh also inspected the Navy’s Mine Counter Measure Vessels that helps locate and destroy explosive ordinance deep below the waves.

"I would like to thank the Royal Navy on behalf of the United Nations for the important role they undertake in the world.

"Especially their commitment in ensuring sea routes are kept open and safe, providing humanitarian aid, fishery protection and in particular the environmental protection work they undertake in the southern oceans.

"My father was in the Royal Navy and whilst there have been changes, during my visit it's clear the Navy has maintained its strong traditions and ethos."

Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Commander Mark Heward remarked:

"Lewis is obviously a great advocate of the sea and a strong supporter of the Royal Navy’s operations across the world."  

'The Long Swim', as Lewis Pugh has named it, is equivalent in length to 16 crossings of the English Channel.