Royal Navy Video........... Love IT!... Smell the Cordite....

Royal Navy Helicopter Search & Rescue Crews Rewarded

Members of Royal Navy helicopter search and rescue crews have received bravery awards from the Queen for three dramatic rescues, it was announced yesterday.

Lieutenant-Commander Martin Lanni and Petty Officer Aircrewman Kevin Regan, from HMS Gannet in Prestwick, were presented with the Air Force Cross and Queen’s Gallantry Medal respectively.

Lieutenant-Commander Lanni, 39, flew the helicopter that plucked three climbers off a cliff on Ben Nevis in a daring night-time operation in atrocious weather.

The men were trapped on a ledge in a blizzard, out of reach of the mountain rescue team. The four-man helicopter crew worked for more than six hours to reach them, retreating off the mountain four times to regroup. Despite a dropping fuel gauge, the Sea King returned twice more to lift 12 members of the mountain rescue teams to safety.

Related Links

• Royal Navy rescue captain from ship

Without the helicopter’s intervention, in May 2007, lives would have been lost.

Observer Lieutenant-Commander Martin “Florry” Ford was awarded the Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air for his part in the rescue.

Petty Officer Regan, 30, was awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for two rescues, one of which involved plucking a man who was high on drugs and extremely aggressive out of Loch Long, Argyll.

Police in a boat attending the incident, in June 2007, had been unable to rescue the man. Petty Officer Regan was lowered on a short line from the helicopter and faced verbal and physical abuse before the man passed out, allowing the officer to winch him clear, a difficult task as he was unconscious. Petty Officer Regan then administered emergency first aid en route to hospital.

In another incident, in January last year, Petty Officer Regan was part of a crew that rescued six people from the deck of a stricken ferry in the Irish sea near Blackpool.

In the dark and in dreadful weather, MV Riverdance was listing 45 degrees in heavy seas. Because of the conditions the rescue had to be rapid, and Petty Officer Regan risked his own safety by unclipping from the winch line to allow passengers to be lifted two at a time to speed the evacuation.

Lieutenant-Commander Lanni said: “It was an enormous honour to travel to the Palace of Holyrood and to receive my award from Her Majesty the Queen.

“It is a true high point in my career with the Royal Navy. It was a surprise to hear that I had been awarded the Air Force Cross and it makes me feel humble to be recognised in such a way for simply doing my job.

“That said, it was a tough rescue and the stakes couldn’t have been higher. I had a superb crew with me and we all pulled together to make sure that those climbers were taken to safety. And the Lochaber Mountain Rescue members also deserve a mention and recognition for their critical role in this rescue.”

Petty Officer Regan said: “This has been an extremely proud moment for me. I’m just really pleased and still surprised that I have been awarded this honour.

“Growing up I never expected that I’d end up meeting the Queen. Obviously it’s nice to be honoured, but both rescues involved a four-man crew so this is for all of us, not just me.

“At the end of the day we were just doing our job and given the circumstances I’d do exactly the same again.”

Altogether, five members of HMS Gannet — 20 per cent of the Royal Navy’s personnel at the unit — learnt that they had been variously awarded the Air Force Cross, Queen’s Gallantry Medal and Queen’s Commendation for Bravery in the Air.

The honours covered four complex and dangerous rescues that led to more than 20 lives being saved.

A further three unit members were awarded a Commander in Chief Fleet Commendation for their roles in a number of rescues.

In 2007 HMS Gannet became the UK’s busiest helicopter search and rescue station since records began, with 359 call outs, assisting 349 people, of whom 286 were casualties.

Last year the station broke its own record, with 382 call outs, on which 347 people were rescued. The station provides cover for 98,000 square miles around the west of Scotland, northern England and Northern Ireland.

Navy hit by £1bn rise in carrier plan

Plans to build new aircraft carriers for the Royal Navy are at risk because costs have soared by £1billion, it was revealed last night.

A leaked memo showed builders of the aircraft carriers, HMS Queen Elizabeth and HMS Prince of Wales, known as QE Class carriers, were worried.

It said: "The MoD will publish its annual report and accounts in July; these will show £1billion of QE Class cost growth. This is a very real fight for the programme's survival."

The memo, written for the chief executives of companies participating in the project, was leaked to the BBC.

But sources say there is little prospect of the project being dropped. The MoD said: "We took the decision to delay the two future aircraft carriers in December 2008."

Sea Lord says Navy needs more cash

BRITAIN’S most senior naval officer has accused ministers of “sea blindness” and revealed he has had to point out his overstretched ships can’t be in more than one place at one time.

Admiral Sir Jonathon Band, the First Sea Lord, told the Daily Telegraph there was a pressing need to hold a debate on the country’s defence priorities.

He revealed he has even had to remind ministers – keen to set more missions for the Royal Navy while simultaneously culling the fleet – a ship can’t be in two places at once.

Sir Jonathon, who is stepping down after three-and-a-half years, also warned that Britain was “losing the ability to think strategically”.

“I think Government could continue to learn,” he said. “Until recently there’s been sea blindness. Is it because people get into politics for domestic rather than international reasons?”

In a warning to politicians looking to make defence cuts, he said: “You don’t need to be an economist to realise major countries face a challenging outlook, but just because things are tough, don’t stop insuring your house. We have to have a strategic debate.

"Looking round the world, I don’t see it calming down; I don’t see any argument for Britain doing less.

“There is bound to be a limit on ship building, that’s fine. All I’m saying is, with the size of fleet, I can’t go any more places. If anyone wants me to go somewhere I say ‘fine, I’m very happy to go there, but where don’t you want me to go?’”

He confirmed this was “an actual discussion” he’d had with ministers.

“The Gulf is clearly a priority, and will remain so with a bi-lateral agreement with Iraq,” he said.

“In the Mediterranean we put a ship in whenever we can afford to. In the Caribbean and northern Atlantic we have dependent territories and fight the drug trade.

“We used to patrol that all year, now less than half the year with a full warship. Down south we have a deterrence mission [for the Falklands], and en route try to service our engagement with South American and West African friends.

“Turn the clock forward 20 years and we will be worrying about Asia and the West Pacific. In the past six months we’ve conducted exercises with Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, India, Bangladesh, Singapore, Malaysia and Brunei. If you cut the naval cake too far you just say ‘OK, we won’t go to the Far East’. Strategically, that would be incredibly stupid.”

The First Sea Lord has already seen his order of 12 Type 45 Destroyers halved.

In a clear swipe at ministers, he ridiculed the view that says “my God, a Type 45 is very expensive”. He said: “If you want to protect a task group, that’s what you need. And then, it’s jolly cheap, and you’re jolly glad you have it.”

He believes Britain’s island status must place the sea at the heart of its thinking. Piracy, terrorism, drugs and people trafficking, protecting energy and trade routes all point to an increased naval role.

“People have no idea that by 2012 their lights will be staying on because of liquid gas arriving in Milford Haven daily,” he said. “There is a world out there with a huge maritime element. I mean, we call it Earth; we should call it The Sea.”

According to the Telegraph interview, the First Sea Lord is frustrated by the Government’s drastic cuts to the fleet which now has less than a quarter of the 413 warships it enjoyed in 1964.

Investment was needed even to maintain a diminished fleet, he said.

“We are no longer the second largest navy, but we are the only navy with that global capability and frankly, the only professional partner of note to the Americans.”

Sir Jonathon also admitted sailors were “frustrated” and “disappointed” at the failure to recognise the Navy’s huge contribution to recent conflicts.

Last winter up to 40 per cent of our forces in Afghanistan were Navy, but because Royal Marines are described as “troops” and helicopter pilots are assumed to be RAF, the two other services are given the credit.

Royal Navy captures Somali pirates... and sets them free

4th June 2009. This sound familiar

Nearly a dozen pirates armed with rocket-propelled grenades, machineguns and grappling hooks have been seized in the Gulf of Aden, after being intercepted by a Royal Navy warship.

Two skiffs had been detected by the radar on board HMS Portland, a Type 23 frigate, which was originally designed for anti-submarine warfare.

Suspecting that they were “not innocent fishing vessels”, the frigate, commanded by Commander Tim Henry, steamed closer to the skiffs and saw that both vessels were filled with weaponry and ammunition. The ship’s Lynx helicopter was sent to hover over the skiffs while teams of Royal Marine and navy personnel in rigid inflatable boats sped towards the craft and disarmed the ten men on board. The Lynx was armed with a machinegun and snipers.

“The skiffs were equipped with extra barrels of fuel, grappling hooks and a cache of weapons that included rocket-propelled grenades, machineguns and ammunition,” navy officials said.

Because of the rules of engagement, however, the ten pirates had to be set free. “We can only arrest suspected pirates if we catch them in the act or on the point of launching an attack on a vessel,” a Ministry of Defence official said.

“Clearly, with all the weaponry in the skiffs, there was an intent to commit piracy, but we hadn’t actually caught them in the middle of an attack so we had to release them.”

All the weapons and ammunition were confiscated and the ten men were piled into the larger of the two skiffs, provided with enough fuel to get them to the Somali coast and told to go home. Some of the fuel was then put into the other skiff and set on fire.

“The pirates tend to use the smaller boats to go up against the merchant vessels they are trying to hijack, so we basically removed or destroyed all the piracy paraphernalia,” the MoD official said.

HMS Portland is serving with the Combined Maritime Forces Task Force 151, a multinational naval group that currently consists of ships from the United States, Britain, Turkey, South Korea, Singapore, Denmark and Japan. It was established to conduct counter-piracy operations.

The latest successful action against pirates in the Gulf of Aden took place on Tuesday. Dramatic pictures of the sequence of events that led to the burning of one of the skiffs were released by the MoD yesterday. The Royal Navy frigate had identified and pursued the skiffs in co-ordination with a Spanish maritime patrol aircraft.

“This international collaboration cannot be understated and as more countries join the fight, we will continue to work together to help deter, disrupt and thwart criminal acts of piracy,” said Commodore Tim Lowe, deputy commander of the Combined Maritime Forces.

HMS Portland has been involved recently in several other counterpiracy operations. Commander Henry said that his ship was playing her part in keeping the area safe for internationaltrade.

Reported by the TIMES

US, Royal Navy Hone Battle Skills

In the midst of a full-fledged multinational exercise off the coast of the United Kingdom this May, U.S. Navy and Royal Navy leadership are collaborating with one another to form a stronger joint, allied force for current and future operations at sea.

With seven countries participating in the Joint Warrior 09-1 exercise to hone the battle skills and readiness of allied forces, the American and Royal fleet are learning and drawing from one another's expertise and skill sets.

"We want to help as much as we can, because that strengthens the bond between the U.S. and the Royal Navy, which is historically already unbelievably strong," said Capt. John Kersh, commodore, Commander, Destroyer Squadron 24. "We are teaming with some of our strongest allies and partners so that we can all draw upon these good feelings when we get in theater. It's a very, very positive relationship."

As Joint Warrior takes place in the U.K., Royal Navy officials are visiting the States to learn more about the U.S. Navy's expertise in aircraft carrier-centric operations at Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic (CSFTL). With the Royal Navy making preparations to add two more aircraft carriers to their fleet, senior leadership is drawing upon U.S. expertise and example in training carriers and associated staffs to successfully fulfill missions abroad.

"Our organization stateside is set up to train an entire strike group and staff, whereas theirs is geared toward training individual ships at higher levels", said Kersh. They can take what they learn from us and apply it to carrier strike group organization, and we learn their individual ship ops expertise and communication styles, in addition to near-land procedures and NATO rules of engagement."

With so much partnered alignment between U.S. and Royal Navy leadership, sharing relative strengths to provide ready, allied maritime forces for global assignment will play a pivotal role in the execution of the American maritime strategy. Multiplatform coalition exercises like Joint Warrior only strengthen the existing teamwork and operational efficiency between the partnered nations.

"It takes a lot of resources to put this coalition-intensive exercise together, sequenced correctly and with so many intricacies involved," said Kersh. "But it's so important because in a real-life, in-theater situation, things could get complicated very quickly if we don't thoroughly understand how our allies operate. Working together so closely beforehand helps to side-step a learning curve; we need to be fully battle-ready together now, not when we get over in theater and it's time to perform."

Joint Warrior is a two-week, multinational training evolution incorporating five U.S. Navy units and a host of allied forces, focusing heavily on strategic training evolutions and strengthening partnerships between NATO members. The exercise also integrates Fleet Irregular Warfare Training (FIWT), placing emphasis on more non-traditional warfare areas like counter-piracy and theater security, in addition to calculated responses to some of the newer emergent threats around the globe.

"Opportunities for us to work with our allies during exercises like JW are vital," said Lt. Cmdr. Dave Jones, weapon engineer officer for the Royal Navy frigate HMS Argyll (F231). "They allow us to practice common procedures at all levels of warfare, from humanitarian aid and enforcing embargoes to high-intensity warfighting. We can meet face to face, talk as one professional mariner to another, and gain a better understanding of each other's cultures and ways of life, strengthening at an individual level the common interests our two nations share."

10 reasons why the state of the Royal Navy should matter to YOU

1. Protecting ships that carry the food you eat, the stuff you buy and the fuel you need.
Most of the oil used by the UK arrives by sea. Global maritime trade relies on the free and lawful use of the sea. The UK is an island nation and most of the food and goods you buy in the shops has arrived from overseas on a ship. The same goes for the oil that powers your car (and just about every kind of transport in the country) has arrived in vast, vulnerable oil tankers. Even a slight disruption to this flow of oil would case massive problems for the UK, just remember the serious effects of the short-lived fuel protest of 2000. A large tanker, the Sirius Star carrying $100 million worth of crude oil was seized by pirates in 2008 demonstrating how vulnerable they are and how it could impact world markets. Without fuel, food distribution would quickly grind to a halt, rationing would be introduced and we would have to rely on meagre locally grown supplies. By 2011, 50% of the gas that you heat your house and cook with will arrive by sea from abroad (aboard the even more vulnerable 'floating bombs' that are Liquid Natural Gas carriers). 92% of UK trade by volume (586 million tonnes) is moved by sea. The health of the already fragile UK economy depends on this. Your job may well depend directly or indirectly on the free flow of imports or exports by sea. Sea transport is a significant part of the economy and is the UK's 3rd largest service sector. These ships are obviously vulnerable to attack by a foreign country, attack by terrorists and, as demonstrated by recent events, attack by pirates. The only effective way to protect merchant shipping is with naval forces. During 2 World wars in the 20th Century Britain came close to starvation because her merchant shipping was being sunk by submarines. Today there are fewer merchant ships but they're generally much larger and in open conflict would make fat and easy targets for today's sophisticated submarines. Just a few well-handled submarines could wreak havoc on world trade. 95% of global trade passes through just 9 narrow 'choke points' (such as the Straits of Hormuz ) where it is especially easy for a belligerent nation or even a terrorist group to attack shipping.
The RN is particularly short of escort vessels needed to protect merchant shipping from submarine, air or missile attacks. The Tory government of the 1980s was committed to maintaining 50 frigates and destroyers (escorts). The current labour government has slashed the number of theses vessels to 21 and lack of orders means it will fall even further in the near future. (As an interesting comparison Japan, an island nation of similar size to the UK, although more populous and richer, but with far fewer global commitments operates around 50 escorts.)
2. Operating the nuclear deterrent that helps keeps the peace. Whatever you think about nuclear weapons, it is hard to disagree with the fact that the threat of their use has prevented world war for over 60 years. The Royal Navy has quietly helped maintain this deterrent which ultimately helped win the Cold War. While unstable nations around the world continue to acquire nuclear weapons it would seem wise that Britain retains this ability. It would be great if the world was entirely rid of these horror weapons but that's really an unlikely utopian fantasy. They are expensive to build and maintain but not as expensive as a world war. It does not bear thinking about how the effects of nuclear war would impact on the lives of every individual in almost every part of the world.
The UK government is committed to replacing the current generation of nuclear-armed submarines although work needs to start urgently if there is not going to be a gap in capability. It is also pondering whether it can cut corners and build just 3 submarines instead of 4 that are needed to safely guarantee one on patrol at any one time. The recent collision by one of the deterrent submarines and a French submarine demonstrates the need for some spare capacity in the event the unexpected. In addition to the actual RN submarines that carry these weapons, there is a need for trained and experienced personnel to man them and other submarines and ships to protect them at times. The RN is already short of these resources.
3. Helping in the fight against terrorism. The causes of terrorism and what the reponses to it should be are complex and controversial. However what is not in doubt is that it is an increasing threat to the world and in most cases terrorists need to be confronted by force. Britain is second only to the US on the list of countries that insane Islamic militants want to target with indiscriminate murder and mayhem. Everyday, largely out of sight and out of the public mind, the RN is part of the complex array of forces trying to combat terrorism. Whether contributing personnel, and aircraft to Afghanistan, or conducting maritime search of suspect vessels, the RN is helping police the seas and disrupt terrorism. For more urgent action RN submarines carry very accurate long-range Tomahawk missiles which have been used in the past to target terrorist training camps.
As with protecting trade, the RN simply does not have the number of ships needed to patrol the large areas used by terrorist traffic.
4. Maintaining British influence in the world. The ships of the RN are a key component in projecting Britain's influence. (whether this is for good or bad is of course dependent on the integrity of the incumbent government). Visiting RN vessels are a great way to promote relationships with friendly and neutral nations around the world. The size and ability of the RN (and other UK forces) is a significant factor in how much influence we have over global politics and in particular the actions of the United States. The presence of a warship can send a powerful message of deterrence without a shot being fired. The concept of a 'fleet in being' is a cornerstone in the defence of the UK and its interests. The knowledge that we possess a fleet and are able to use it can make potential aggressors think twice. For example, in could be argued that cuts in the RN fleet lead directly to the Falklands conflict. Argentina interpreted the weakening of the navy as a lack of resolve by the UK to protect its overseas assets.The tangible benefits for you as a UK citizens of this influence is both economic; helping UK business, and moral; UK values and UK people receive greater respect and attention abroad. The United Kingdom has 13 Overseas Territories and, in the last 15 years the RN has provided direct support to 6 of them. There are also 5.5 million Britons living overseas. The RN is the most important tool the UK possesses when diplomatic avenues are either exhausted or need backing with force.
5. Supplying humanitarian aid and helping with disaster relief around the world.The RN not only trains for war but for humanitarian missions. Every year RN warships are involved in providing aid, comfort and relief of nations that have suffered natural disasters. In the Caribbean where islands are regularly devastated by hurricanes RN vessels have often been the first on the scene providing help to the local authorities. In the aftermath of the devastating tsunami in 2004, RN vessels went to the relief of Sri Lanka. There have been many other examples going back decades where trained men, well equipped ships and the 'can-do' attitude of the RN has been a huge help to struggling communities across the globe. On a smaller scale it is common practice for RN warships visiting foreign ports to send small teams to help local charities in various practical ways such a repairing an orphanage or decorating a school. In addition ship's companies regularly raise considerable sums of money to donate to charitable organisations. In these kind of efforts the RN is a great ambassador for the UK and a force for good in the world.
6. Protecting UK waters and the fish stocks.
Fishing remains an important industry, particularly in the more remote parts of the UK.Fish are an important part of our diet and the fishing industry is a mainstay of many small ports around UK. Protecting fish stocks from over-fishing, preventing plunder by foreign vessels and enforcing fish quotas and regulations is actually the oldest task performed by the RN. In addition to fishery protection, supporting the Coastguard, Customs and Police in the fight against terrorism crime, drug smuggling, illegal immigration are occasional additional roles for RN vessels on your doorstep.
With 10,500 miles of coastline and 600 ports one of the UK's greatest natural resources is the sea. The current government has allowed the RN's fishery protection fleet to fall to a laughable 3 vessels dedicated to patrolling UK waters.
7. Disrupting the flow of illegal drugs.The RN regularly patrols in the Caribbean region and has made seizures of large amounts drugs grown in South America intended for Europe. The RN has also sized drugs from suspect vessels across the worlds oceans. Disrupting the trade in narcotics that are a major cause of crime, mental health problems and misery on the streets near you is very worthwhile. Money from the sale of drugs is also a source of funds for terrorism and criminal empires. As the drug smugglers become more sophisticated, even building crude submarines to transport drugs, then a global response is needed and only the RN can contribute to this in partnership with local civilian agencies.
8. Carrying out search and rescue missions.
RN aircraft are on standby to perform rescue missions around the UK 24 hours a day.Many mariners, climbers and holidaymakers owe their lives to the Royal Navy. RN and RAF helicopters provide search, rescue and urgent transport to those in danger or injured, usually at sea or on around the coastline of the UK. Many RN aircrew have received bravery awards for risking their lives to save others in hazardous conditions. In addition, RN ships and aircraft regularly go to aid of sailors in danger across the oceans whenever they are in a position to offer assistance.
As a 'cost saving measure' the government plans to privatise search and rescue cover from 2012 and replace experienced RN and RAF crews with private contractors.
9. Supporting manufacturing, industry, research and science.Designing, building and maintaining the vessels and equipment needed by the RN employs thousands of people in the UK and helps maintain cutting edge industrial skills which benefit the economy as a whole. Manufacturing is a key part of a good economy and we can't just rely on the service sector. Although it is hard to argue the taxpayer has received good value for money recently as so many projects have been mis-managed and gone over-budget, never the less, these skills and capabilities are important to keep as no one knows when the UK may need to expand it's forces to meet future threats.
Through a lack of steady placing of equipment orders, this government is allowing much of the industrial infrastructure that supports the RN to wither and this valuable skills base, built up over decades is hard to re-build in a hurry, if at all. While generally trying to stimulate the troubled economy by public spending, no extra money has been given to defence projects.
10. Training and employing people.The RN has approximately 35,000 people and it provides secure employment for them and many others indirectly supporting them. RN personnel are trained to a high standard and as their lives may depend on each other, develop an ethos of loyalty, discipline and teamwork which is often lacking in civilian life. When they leave the service they are attractive prospects to many employers and ex-forces personnel and generally a valuable labour resource for the economy. The RN teaches leadership, resourcefulness and teamwork, together with a certain under-statement and a 'can-do' attitude. The occasional mis-deeds of sailors get plenty of media coverage and obviously not all ex-RN personnel are paragons of virtue but in general the RN produces rounded individuals who contribute to society.
Pressure on the RN to do too much with too few people means the average sailor is over-worked and not getting enough time in shore jobs. Regularly breaking their own 'harmony' guidelines, the government's lack of investment in the service is leading to a vicious circle as experienced people resign, tired of too much time away from home serving on under-manned ships.

Royal Navy may be forced to free captured pirates

I don't know if I want to Laugh or Cry.... So why the hell are we patrolling to capture modern day pirates if we have to let them go..... I think we should just put all Pirates back in the Sea and keep the boats or get a plank fitted on every warship....

Pirates captured by Royal Navy warships patrolling off East Africa may have to be set free because there is no international agreement over where they can be legally prosecuted.

Internal Foreign Office documents seen by The Independent on Sunday lay bare the behind-the-scenes wrangling that could neuter the UK-led effort against the growing problem of pirates terrorising vessels in one of the busiest shipping lanes in the world.

The collection of memos and briefing notes detail critical problems with Operation Atalanta since it was hurriedly agreed by the European Union last November in response to a series of high-profile pirate attacks around the Horn of Africa.

Although the UK volunteered to lead the EU's first naval mission, officials have consistently warned ministers that its impact could be limited by the inability to prosecute captured pirates, who are therefore freed – potentially to resume their threat to shipping. Authorities say criminals attacked more than 100 ships off Somalia last year, including hijackings with multimillion-dollar ransom demands.

A supertanker carrying two million barrels of oil became the biggest commercial vessel ever hijacked last November. The Sirius Star was eventually released two months later after its owners parachuted a £2m ransom – reduced from £16m – on to the ship.

EU defence ministers admitted last month that they were struggling to break through complicated international legal agreements to establish how to handle pirates taken into custody, where they could be tried, and what laws apply. They accept that court action – perhaps via special arrangements with selected countries in the region – would act as a significant deterrent.

Documents now reveal that British officials warned of the legal problems – and their potential to embarrass ministers who had committed the nation's forces to the headline-grabbing operation – from the start.

As early as last November, a briefing to ministers pointed out that: "The legal difficulties regarding arrest/detention of pirates mean that it is unlikely that pirates will be able to be brought to justice in the courts."

In a further memo, on 3 December, officials advised David Miliband, the Foreign Secretary, to agree to the launch of Atalanta, "despite failure to conclude ... all the legal agreements sought with regional countries on handover of pirate suspects, accepting that this increases operational and reputational risk in the period until these agreements are concluded". The document also said trying pirates in UK courts was "not desirable", but stated that "the default option ... of releasing the pirates on to a Somali beach after destruction of pirate boats/weapons/ equipment is not attractive either in deterrence or presentational terms".

However, given the Government's prominent role in the operation, it was judged that "a decision not to launch the mission would be embarrassing and, even with careful media handling, we could expect heavy criticism".

Kenya is one of four countries favoured as the regional venue for trials, and Britain is thinking of offering to help its legal system cope with the extra work. The Department of Transport is considering new legislation allowing pirates captured abroad to be tried in the UK.

The shadow Foreign Secretary, William Hague, said: "It will make a mockery of British efforts to combat Somali piracy if we have no effective system to deal with those captured by the Royal Navy, and pirates are simply let loose to attack again."

Missing Royal Navy Life?

1. Build a shelf in the top of your wardrobe, fit a thin mattress and sleep on top of it.

2. Remove the wardrobe door and replace it with a curtain that is too small.

3. Wash your socks and underpants in the bathroom sink every night, then hang them on the water pipes to dry.

4. Four hours after you have gone to bed, instruct your wife to whip open the curtain, shine a torch in your face and say, "Sorry mate, wrong pit!"

5. When you have a shower, remember to turn the water off when you soap.

6. Every time there is a thunderstorm, sit in a wobbly rocking-chair and rock as hard as you can until you are violently sick.

7. Put diesel oil into a humidifier and set it on high to achieve that wonderful Ship Aroma.

8. Don't watch TV except for a movie at 2030. For added realism, have the family vote for which movie to have and then select a different one.

9. Leave a lawnmower running in the house to re-create correct noise levels.

10.Have the postman or paperboy give you a haircut fortnightly.

11.Once a week, blow compressed air up your chimney, ensuring that the soot is carried over to your neighbour's home. When he comes to complain, laugh in his face and say "That's life in a blue suit mate"

12.Buy a rubbish compactor, but only use it once a week, storing all of your rubbish in the shower cubicle.

13.Wake up at midnight each night and make a sandwich out of anything you can find.

14.Have a fridge in your home specifically for beer. put a lock on it and give the key to the local policeman.

15.Keep spare keys for above and empty it every lunchtime.

16.Devise your family menu a week in advance without looking in the fridge or freezer.

17.Once a month, take apart every household appliance then re-assemble them.

18.Use four spoonfuls of coffee per cup and wait 3 hours before drinking it.

19.Invite 40 people you don't like, to stay in your house for a couple of months.

20.Install a small fluorescent strip light under your coffee table then lie underneath it to read a book.

21.Raise the thresholds and lower the top sills of all the doors in the house, so you will either bang your head or skin your shins every time you pass through them.

22.When baking a cake, prop one side of the cake tin against the side of the oven and when it has cooled, spread icing thickly on lower side to even it out.

23.Every so often throw one of the dogs into the bath and scream "Man overboard!" Sling in a sponge with a flag on it, then run into the kitchen and sweep all the pots and pans onto the floor and yell at your wife for not securing for sea.

24.Get your wife and kids to clean their rooms every evening and at 1900 wander around the house with the local policeman.

25.Name your favourite shoes "Steaming Bats" then get the kids to hide them around the house.

26.Lie on your bed, or sofa and fart for absolutely no reason.

27.Insist on going to the local post office for your mail and get them to phone you when it is ready for collection.

28.On Saturday morning walk around the house, whistling loudly and insist that everyone you pass stands to attention.

29.Paint the outside of your house battleship grey and put the number on the wall in big black letters.

30.Put windows and a bloody big wheel in your loft.

31.Every Thursday at 0500 in the morning, run around the house yelling "Hands to Action Stations!"

32. When the family demands more food, yell back at them "WHAT DO YOU EXPECT FOR 39p PER DAY, PER MAN"!