First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Alan West called in on HMS Somerset when she paid a goodwill visit to Malta.

Admiral West was guest of honour aboard the Type 23 frigate as she stopped off at the George Cross island en route to the Gulf on peacekeeping duties.

The warship had a hectic four days in Grand Harbour, sweltering in temperatures of 30°C, hosting 300 guests led by Admiral West and Britain’s High Commissioner to Malta, Vincent Fean, and numerous dignitaries.

Somerset served as Admiral West’s flagship as he chatted with crew about the forthcoming tour of duty in the Middle East – Somerset took over from her sister Grafton in the Gulf at the beginning of the month – and presented Long Service and Good Conduct medals to POs Miriam Charlton and ‘Charlie’ Boodhram and LMA Zac Wealthall.

After a tour of Grand Harbour and the Malta Maritime Museum, the admiral joined Somerset’s Commanding Officer Cdr David Axon and the island’s senior military officer Brig Carmel Vassallo for an inspection of Malta’s Sea Cadet Corps.

The sailors also attended a reception by the Association of Royal Navy Officers in the magnificent setting of the Torri Ta’ Lanzun, the headquarters of the Military and Hospitaller Order of St Lazarus of Jerusalem, reputedly the oldest order in existence, tracing its ancestry back to the era of the Crusades.

Aside from official business, Somerset’s football team turned out against local side Birnaba and earned a respectable 3-3 draw, while the Senior Rates’ mess hosted members of Malta’s RNA.

“The visit was a huge success,” said Cdr Axon. “We took great pride in improving the already solid affiliation between Malta and the Royal Navy.

“The visit also offered an excellent opportunity for a number of the crew to meet Admiral West and enjoy some well-earned R&R in a fantastic location.”

Now operating in the Gulf, Somerset is due to return to her home port of Devonport in December, just in time for Christmas.