Small ship, big impact as HMS Tyne arrives in Scotland after months of underwater missions

The Portsmouth-based first-generation River-class ship is taking a short breather at HMNB Clyde in Faslane after spending more than 3,500 hours at sea this year – over 145 days, or nearly 21 weeks.

Alongside her sister ships HMS Severn and HMS Mersey, Tyne has acted as the Navy's near-constant eyes and ears in home waters, activated numerous times to monitor ships and submarines transiting UK maritime territory. 

HMS Tyne has been used to launch underwater autonomous vehicles to conduct detailed seabed surveys, while drone specialists have used the ship as a launchpad for Puma small aircraft to enhance surveillance and reconnaissance.

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Lieutenant Bailey Denyer, Tyne's operations officer, said: "River-class ships deliver week-in, week-out, across an array of tasking. These small ships certainly generate a big impact."

When not on patrol, HMS Tyne serves as a training platform – teaching would-be and junior officers the fundamentals of life at sea and helping future navigators for Queen Elizabeth-class carriers and task groups earn their spurs in challenging waters around the Channel Islands and the Western Isles of Scotland.

Sub Lieutenant Paul Clark, currently undergoing specialist officer training on board, said: "The ship exposes you to many different types of operations and training, and the navigation courses have given me a clear insight of what to expect as a future student!

"I've learnt an immense amount from the variety I've witnessed on board and will always be grateful to have done my Officer of the Watch training on board a ship that's this busy."

The ship has also supported high-profile events, including commemorations of the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe alongside the Royal Norwegian Navy.

"Although this story is through the lens of HMS Tyne, our sister ships are equally as busy on continuous patrol, always innovating and ready for the next challenge," Commanding Officer Lieutenant Commander Sam Fields said.