The fourth sea week concentrates on whole ship evolutions to prepare the ship to combat action damage and also ensure that the ship is prepared to conduct it’s own training once it has left BOST.

The first three days saw the ship conducting a major exercise each day. This provided an opportunity for the crew to put into practise all the lessons learnt over the past 4 weeks.

Thursday and the weekly war included a serial where the ship had to present a training plan for the ship to prove that they could continue an acceptable level of training for the ship once it leaves BOST, this was successfully completed.

Friday saw the ship return alongside in order to prepare for the final week of training.

Fifth and final Week 11 – 15 November

The final week centres around the Ship’s ability to conduct operations whilst in Defence Watches ( see below ). This is the posture that the ship would take in an area of increased risk eg patrolling in the Persian Gulf.

Defence Watches – In this condition 50% of the Ship’s Company are closed up at any one time with the ship operating a 6 hour watch turnover. This posture enables the ship to meet the increased threat without having everyone closed up at action stations and can be maintained over long periods of operation.

The final Thursday and the last Thursday war is also final inspection day. A large staff presence is sent to the ship to observe the way the ship operates after 6 weeks of arduous training. Providing they see that the ship has reached the required standard the ship sails from BOST on completion of the war to retake its place within the Fleet. I am glad to report that HMS RICHMOND achieved the required standard and has now taken her place back within the operational Fleet trained and ready to be deployed wherever the UK Government see fit to send her.