TYPE 23 frigate HMS Northumberland has been maintaining a high public profile during a programme of visits which saw her berthed in London and in Newcastle within a short space of time.

Her trip to Newcastle was the first in nearly two years, and culminated in her acceptance of the Freedom of the County of Northumberland, when more than 120 guests were welcomed on board.

Among those who were invited to the warship was former world boxing champion Glen McCrory.

Her time in London was linked to the 50th London Boat Show, and she attracted more than 20,000 people on during Ship Open to Visitors – though not all at the same time.

The Devonport-based ship sailed up the Thames and berthed at the Excel Centre in London’s Docklands for the ten-day nautical extravaganza, one of the most prestigious events of its kind in Europe, to complement a Royal Navy stand inside the exhibition hall.

Crew from Northumberland joined members of the London and Birmingham Sea Cadets, the London-based recruitment office and the Navy’s corporate communications office from DCC(N) in Whitehall in crewing the exhibition stall, while the Royal Marines Band from Plymouth provided music at the opening ceremony, when EastEnders actor Steve MacFadden, who plays Phil Mitchell, cut the ribbon.

This was the first year that a Royal Navy vessel has been an integral part of the boat show, and Naval estimates of 20,000 visitors proved spot on.

“Most people seem surprised by the noise from the generators and fans on board, and also the amount of ladders” said WTR Sian Harley.

“People also still seem surprised to see women on board, although women have been at sea for years now. A lot of people ask how we cope with only having such small bunk space to keep our clothes and things, but you get used to it.”

There were hundreds of boats on display at the show, from luxury yachts to budget-level dinghies, and Northumberland’s crew were able to look round – and clamber over – some very expensive models, including the most expensive boat on display at the show, the Sunseeker 105, worth just under £5 million.

Other RN sailors posed for photos in a Honda S2000 and a Honda speedboat.

Northumberland’s chefs swapped the frigate’s galley for the tiny kitchens on some of the narrow boats on display – and admitted they would find it difficult if they had that little working space.

“Normally cooking for 190 people a day is relatively easy, but we’d struggle to provide meals for the ship’s crew from this galley,” said POCA Ryan Hopper.

“I hope that the galleys onboard the new Type 45s won’t be this small.”

The most eye-catching exhibit – apart from Northumberland, dressed overall – was the amphibious car, a £150,000 vehicle which regularly hurtled past the frigate’s berth.

“It’s a hugely impressive feat of British engineering,” said Northumberland’s Executive Officer Lt Cdr Egeland-Jensen, “and one which could ultimately have military applications in the littoral warfare environment.

“I’m sure the Royal Marines will be interested in seeing how the technology develops.”

Some sailors managed to venture further than the confines of the Excel Centre – 23 of them visited Charlton Athletic’s ground at The Valley to see the Premiership side beat Wolves, and draw raffle prizes for Athletic fans.

Crew in turn presented a signed photograph of the ship and her badge to the club and hosted some of the Charlton players on board.

The ship’s Commanding Officer Cdr Alex Burton said the visit had been a morale raiser for his crew and a profile raiser for the Navy.

“This is what the ship is about – it’s a place of fun for the younger children, for the older ones, it’s a means of understanding the Royal Navy, which will hopefully provide them with a reason for choosing a career in the Senior Service,” he said.

Northumberland also drew some high-profile visitors from officers as senior as First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West and Deputy Commander-in-Chief Fleet Vice Admiral Mark Stanhope, who praised crew for delivering “a very impressive shop window” on RN life, to yachtswoman Ellen MacArthur – plus the cast of Naval TV drama Making Waves.

And in the show hall itself, sailors met Princess Anne, Formula One driver Jenson Button, plus England rugby players Andy Gomersall and Phil Vickery, who posed for photographs.