HMS Spey's 'motley crew' assumes role of contraband-smuggling rogue fishing vessel on exercise
HMS Spey has taken on a new enemy role during the annual Exercise SamaSama 23.
The Royal Navy's offshore patrol ship played the role of a contraband smuggling rogue fishing vessel and was "tracked and subsequently boarded by a combined US Navy and Philippine Navy boarding Team".
Spey said on X, formerly Twitter: "Our five-man motley crew were duly questioned and apprehended."
Ex SamaSama 23 is a significant multinational exercise symbolising a united front and collective statement with the aim of improving interoperability between partner nations and allies.
'SAMASAMA' means 'together' in Tagalog, the national language of the Philippines.
The Batch 2 River-class offshore patrol vessel has been deployed to the Indo-Pacific region since January 2022, sailing more than 69,793 nautical miles.
Acting as the eyes and ears of the Royal Navy, HMS Spey has been working with Britain's allies to carry out security patrols to deal with drug-running, smuggling, terrorism and other illegal activities.
No permanent home has been assigned to the vessel – instead, she will use Pacific bases and ports that best meet her needs and mission.
In August, HMS Spey became the first Royal Navy ship to dock in Brisbane, Australia, in 28 years.
The month before, HMS Spey enjoyed a special reunion with her sister ship HMS Tamar in Cairns, the first time they had berthed next to each other in almost two years.
Spey is crewed by 46 sailors, with half of the crew trading places with shipmates from the UK every few weeks.
The constant rotation of personnel allows the Navy to get the most out of its ships, with the crews at sea for up to nine months of the year and the vessels ready for operations all year round.
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