THE delightful Dalmatian port of Split provided the perfect backdrop for work and play for the sailors of HMS Montrose over Easter.

The Devonport-based frigate is Britain’s contribution to NATO’s Standing Maritime Group Two which patrols the Mediterranean region on an eclectic mission from peacekeeping duties to humanitarian aid and working with Allied navies.

The principal mission, however, is Active Endeavour, part of the global clampdown by Allied warships on terrorism and illegal use of the high seas in the wake of the September 11 2001 atrocities.

Alongside Montrose in the force at present are American destroyer USS Roosevelt, ITS Maestrale, HS Elli, SPS Navarra and Turkish frigate TCG Gokceada.

With Croatia looking to join NATO, there was considerable media interest in the force’s five-day stay in Split over the Easter weekend.

Montrose herself received visits from Croatian national television, the national magazine Gloria and the local newspaper Slobodna Dalmacija.

The Croatian media was particularly interested in life at sea for female sailors – as the the opinion of women voters in the Balkan state’s impending referendum on the subject is regarded as vital.

With official events complete, crew took full advantage of the warm weather embracing Europe over Easter to explore the important historical and cultural sites of the fascinating city of Split which is a beautiful Roman city enjoying a Mediterranean climate.

Many sailors joined the locals sitting outside in cafes and bars admiring the view across the bay to the outlying islands.

For the more energetic, the sports teams had a good run out participating in rugby, golf, cricket and football.

Montrose’s rugby side took on the local Croatian team, Nada RFC –  an eagerly-awaited fixture after a fairly barren time for Montrose’s XV.

The final score was a defeat of 29-13 – far from a drubbing, especially as two months earlier Nada had annihilated HMS Cornwall’s team 70-0. And, so we’re told, Montrose’s singing was better...

The cricket team hopped on a ferry to the island of Vis to play one of only three sides in Croatia. 

The opposition comprised one Australian, one Englishman and ten Croatians who had only taken up the sport recently... but they were still better (slightly) than the sailors, whom they defeated with a few balls to spare.

More than 50 sailors left Split behind and headed to the River Certina at Omis, half an hour from the coast, for whitewater rafting.

The nine-kilometre trip (five miles in old money – Ed) started slowly with various minor rapids, building up as the journey continued.

Given the sailors’ emphasis on ‘stop and search’ operations on this deployment, several rafters found the temptation of boarding their oppos’ craft too much, or else jumped across hoping to tip them into the river.

“We could not have been made more welcome,” said Cdr Tony Watt, Montrose’s Commanding Officer.

“The Croatian Navy’s genuine desire to join NATO via Partnership for Peace co-operation is clear and I hope we can go some way to helping them achieve their ambitions.”

With Easter over, Montrose left Split bound for Sicily to take part in Noble Manta, a major anti-submarine exercise run by NATO.

Six ‘enemy’ submarines are ranged against the frigate – built to hunt and destroy underwater foes – and the vital shipping she is earmarked to protect during the war games.