Royal Navy Vessels Travel To London To Mark International Women's Day

Three of the Royal Navy's P2000 patrol vessels, all commanded by women, have travelled up to London on International Women's Day to showcase their work.

The Commanding Officers have demonstrated their work and shared their own experiences to new recruits and cadets.

Lieutenant Stephanie Buttery, Commanding Officer of HMS Smiter, said:

"At no point did they say 'because you're a woman you can't be a Commanding Officer'. I feel very empowered in the Navy and they are very supportive of everything to do with women in high places."

All Royal Navy roles are now open to women, including the Royal Marines and the Submarine Service, allowing women to access a range of different roles.

However, latest numbers show that only over 9 percent of the Royal Navy are female. In the last years the Armed Forces have been trying to recruit more women to achieve the 15 percent target by 2020. 

Lieutenant Kate Borland, Commanding Officer of HMS Exploit, said:

"We regularly take students who are interested in joining the Navy out to give them some exposure of what the Navy does and offers"

Each of the Royal Navy’s 14 P2000 Archer class vessels has a full time crew of 5 personnel and space to take an extra 12 trainees aboard.

Next summer some of these vessels will take part in NATO's Exercise Baltops for the first time.