HMS York bids farewell
After 27 years patrolling the oceans of the world, the Royal Navy’s Type 42 destroyer HMS York is preparing to bid farewell.
Thousands visit warship
The Royal Navy's biggest warship HMS Ocean opened its flight deck and hangers to the public during a four day visit to the River Wear.
HMS Ocean parades through Sunderland
The crew of Sunderland's adopted warship HMS Ocean paraded through the city centre. It's part of a four day visit to the city.
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Harrogate Royal Navy pilot honoured for ‘outstanding airmanship and courage’
A North Yorkshire Royal Navy pilot has been awarded the Air Force Cross for grit, determination and courage - shown in his rescue of a climber in Argyll.
On December 18 2011, Lieutenant Commander Craig Sweeney, from Harrogate, led his search and rescue crew in what he later described as ‘one of the most challenging rescues’ he had ever undertaken.
In blizzard conditions, plummeting temperatures and pitch darkness, the team from HMS Gannet in Prestwick, Ayrshire, flew their Sea King Mark 5 helicopter to the aid of climber Dr Gareth Bradley, with a reported broken ankle.
The 3,074ft Beinn Sgulaird they flew to is 10 miles north east of Oban.
Dr Bradley, who now lives in Scotland, rescued the climber, who was in a precarious position near the 3,074ft summit and it was a race against time for the Prestwick-based Sea King helicopter in extreme conditions flying very close to the mountain’s rock face to recover him to safety.
Middlesbrough woman first recruit for new navy vessel
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HMS York bids farewell
After 27 years patrolling the oceans of the world, the Royal Navy’s Type 42 destroyer HMS York is preparing to bid farewell.
Read the full storyHMS Ocean waves farewell to Sunderland
A four day visit to Sunderland by the Royal Navy's biggest warship HMS Ocean comes to an end today.
The ship is returning to Plymouth after a visit which included a freedom march by crew members through the City and an open day which allowed thousands of people to go on board the vessel.
Thousands visit warship
by Derek Proud
The Royal Navy's biggest warship HMS Ocean opened its flight deck and hangers to the public during a four day visit to the River Wear.
Read the full storyHMS Ocean opens to the public
The Royal Navy's biggest warship is being opened up to the public.
The ship docked in Sunderland (her adopted city) on Friday. Yesterday the crew exercised their Freedom of the City by parading through Sunderland's centre.
The public can climb aboard from Corporation Quay between 10am and 4pm today.
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HMS Ocean parades through Sunderland
The crew of Sunderland's adopted warship HMS Ocean paraded through the city centre. It's part of a four day visit to the city.
Read the full storyHMS Ocean and Royal Navy Freedom Parade
More than 200 officers and ratings from Sunderland's adopted warship HMS Ocean are to parade through the city centre later today.
The freedom parade is part of a four-day visit by the Royal Navy's largest warship.
HMS Ocean and her crew were granted the Freedom of the City in 2004.
The parade's route is:
Burdon Road, into Fawcett Street, High Street West, Union Street, Market Square, Waterloo Place, Holmeside and returning into Burdon Road.
On Sunday 27 May, HMS Ocean is open to the public between 10am and 4pm at Corporation Quay, access for pedestrians via Low Street entrance. City centre and on-street parking is available.
Weekend celebrations begin
HMS Ocean will begin her weekend of celebrations in Sunderland, when around 100 young people will get a true taste of life aboard the magnificent warship.
The Royal Marines Commando Recruitment Team will give participants the opportunity to try out core skills to see if they have what it takes to be part of the elite Royal Marines, in an action-packed ‘Meet the Marines’ event.
Activities will include unarmed combat, using a climbing wall and some rigorous physical training packages which the commandos use to hone and then maintain peak fitness.
HMS Ocean crew happy to be home
The Royal Navy's largest warship HMS Ocean berthed on the River Wear this morning.
Captain Andrew Betton described docking a ship of her size as 'a challenge', and some of the crew were overjoyed to be returning home to the North East.
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