FLYING the flag for the Royal Navy at the prestigious London Boat Show this year was frigate HMS St Albans.

The Portsmouth-based warship negotiated the Thames as far as the capital’s docklands, where she berthed alongside the ExCel exhibition centre (and some rather expensive yachts).

Around 20,000 people wound their way around the warship during her ten-day stay at show.

The frigate last basked in the spotlight during the evacuation of civilians from Beirut last summer; she safely ferried 243 out of harm’s way to Cyprus as part of a six-strong British task force sent to help Britons to safety during the Israeli-Hezbollah conflict.

Six months on and times were rather more relaxed as crew toured the boatshow and made the short trip to Canary Wharf, as well as explaining the role of a modern £125m warship to thousands of Boat Show visitors.

Among those visitors was junior defence minister Derek Twigg, who bumped into one of his constituents – LCH John Lloyd – during his time aboard.

“I hope that we’ve been able to give the public a flavour of life aboard a modern warship – and some idea of what we do when we’re out of sight, over the horizon,” said CO Cdr Mark Newland.

“The Royal Navy is as relevant today as at any point in its history, so it’s fitting that we were at the show as an integral part of Britain’s maritime community.”

Mr Twigg said he was particularly impressed “with the high level of morale and tremendous enthusiasm displayed by everyone on board.”