Fin of approval for the crew of HMS Tamar training off coast of Australia

While they didn't spot Free Willy, personnel from HMS Tamar encountered the next best thing while conducting training in sun-drenched Australia: dolphins.

Off the coast of Queensland, the dogs of the sea enjoyed front row seats to a display of disaster-relief training, boarding operations, and man overboard responses from the ship's crew.

It marks the fifth year the River-class ship has operated in the Indo-Pacific – which stretches all the way from Africa to Pearl Harbour – with the vast Coral Sea acting as the perfect training ground for operational training. 

• In pictures: HMS Tamar sailors get hands-on with Abrams and ASLAV during stop in Oz
• Forget The Ashes – find out how the UK and Australian armed forces compare
• Aukus: Step closer to finalising advanced technologies on UK, US and Australian treaty

Home from home 

HMS Tamar represents the UK's commitment to a persistent presence in the Indo-Pacific – a goal aligned with the Aukus (Australia, United Kingdom, United States) pact established in 2021. 

Earlier in the month, the ship's crew conducted live gunnery training after she departed Brisbane, where she made a port visit during the latest phase of her regional patrols. 

The drills involved high-speed manoeuvring by the ship's vessels, which acted as moving targets – simulating the real challenges faced while operating at sea. 

The River-class ship made the 850-mile journey from the northern port city of Cairns, which serves as Tamar's 'home from home' and formed part of a wider programme of engagement, resupply and partnership building.