A MARATHON deployment to the Far East is drawing to a close for survey ship HMS Echo as she makes her way slowly westwards.

The great cities of Singapore and Kuala Lumpur (via her docks at Port Klang) were the last Far Eastern ports of call – and mightily popular ones too.

The Devonport-based hydrographics vessel spent six days apiece in the two ports for a mixture of down-time, refurbishment, survey work and goodwill visits.

In Singapore, Echo used her specialist survey motor boat to conduct a detailed study of the Sembawang wharves.

In Malaysia, she worked closely with the local navy, whose senior officers and cadets were given a thorough tour of the hi-tech ship.

Some of Echo’s crew were given a VIP tour of the Petronas Towers, the world’s tallest twin structure, which dominate the Kuala Lumpur skyline.

… and some of Echo’s sailors played in the shadow of the towers, taking on staff from the British High Commission on the football pitch.

From Port Klang, Echo made the short hop to the Royal Malaysian Navy’s principal base, Lumut, which is set against an impressively lush green backdrop, to host senior Malaysian officers, while Echo’s sailors were invited aboard a Malaysian survey vessel.

And then the Far East dream was over as the ship turned west for good – on this deployment at any rate.