A new bond has been forged between the East Anglian town of Harwich and the Royal Navy with the visit by Archer-class patrol boat HMS Raider.

The Navy has long been involved with Harwich, with historic links established between the former boys of the HMS Ganges training establishment at nearby Shotley and the town.

This was further strengthened when sailors from Ganges helped rescue people trapped by the disastrous flooding along the East Coast 50 years ago.

With the decommissioning of their previous affiliate, the River-class inshore minesweeper HMS Orwell, the civic authorities were keen to establish a new relationship with a ship of the Royal Navy.

HMS Raider, the University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) boat for universities in the eastern part of England, stepped in to the breach to keep the links alive.

The little ship’s first affiliated visit was timed for the end of January to coincide with the town’s memorial events to mark the 50th anniversary of the flooding.

During their three-day visit to the town, Raider hosted a party of civic VIPs, including the Mayor, Councillor David McLeod, for a cocktail party and a trip up the River Orwell.

Commanding Officer Lt Ben Dickins said: “They enjoyed themselves thoroughly. They obviously relished the opportunity to be on their ship.”

When Raider held a Ship Open to Visitors, more than 120 people queued to look around one of the Navy’s smallest ships.

Lt Dickins said: “It was good to see so much interest from the people of Harwich. They were
genuinely interested in what Raider was and the job she does.”

The Sunday of the weekend visit saw the five RN crew and 15 URNU students represent the Navy at the town’s church service to remember the victims of the flooding.