The hand-over was conducted at sea in early July and marked the start of HMS Richmond’s transit back to the UK. In view of the bad weather and sea state at the time the planned boat transfers could not take place so a much reduced number of personnel were transported between the two ships by helicopter to conduct face-to-face hand-overs.

It was therefore a busier than expected morning for HMS Richmond’s flight as the aircraft was required to transfer stores as well as personnel. Nevertheless the hand-over was successfully completed and HMS Richmond proceeded west. Following the hand-over, HMS Richmond made her way up the Red Sea. The passage was a little frustrating for all concerned as the weather continued to be inclement and restricted our planned activities.

Sadly, the planned whole ship entertainment which was to have included a film night and barbecue had to be cancelled but it was possible to have a whole ship ‘sundowners,’ in aid of the Welfare Fund, hosted by the erstwhile and hospitable Petty Officers’ Mess on one of our final evenings in the Red Sea.

This proved to be a successful event and served as an occasion for all onboard to get onto the Flight Deck to enjoy a drink with friends and colleagues and the last of the Red Sea evening sun.

As HMS Richmond continued northwards the weather improved sufficiently to allow the HMS Richmond Boxing Team to train once more on the Flight Deck under the supervision of PO Mitchell. PO Mitchell has recently joined HMS Richmond and was formally involved in boxing training at the Portsmouth Naval Base.

Prior to leaving the Red Sea, the industrious ‘Club Swinger’ LPTI Jay Gorton organised a rowing event to be held on the Flight Deck on the static Concept 2 rowing machines. The plan was to accomplish the rowing of 50,000 metres by members of the Ship’s Company. This was achieved in the usual competitive style that is second nature to Club Swingers.

Teams from all messes onboard went against one another in a head-to-head race made possible by the simultaneous use of both Concept 2 rowing machines. Each competitor had to row 1000 metres as fast as possible and attempt to beat their opponent on the other machine.

With the inter-mess rivalry onboard this proved to be a popular event that attracted plenty of support. The top three fastest competitors were LOM ‘Buster’ Brown 191 seconds, PO Dave MacMenemey 192 seconds and the Commanding Officer, Commander Keble with 199 seconds.

The next event for HMS Richmond was the northbound Suez Canal passage. As it was not possible to ‘Row the Suez’ because of the manpower constraints onboard, a different challenge was needed. A plan was hatched by the Medical Officer, Surgeon Lieutenant Commander McLean, to ‘Table Tennis the Suez.’

This unusual event captured the imagination of those onboard and forty volunteers participated. In keeping with the usual Suez Passage challenges, play commenced just before we entered the canal and finished when the game in play ended after exiting the canal in Port Said.

The ship’s table tennis table was set up on the quarter-deck and play was commenced at 0230 local by the Medical Officer, PO Steve Hogg and the skilful LSA Chris Sharman who played a routine of two games on, one game off for the first hour. By the time the Suez Canal was traversed, forty members of the Ship’s Company had played uninterrupted table tennis for fourteen hours and forty-two minutes.

In total one hundred and sixty-nine games were played with only ten balls being lost over the side. It is thought that this is the first time that the Suez Canal has been ‘Table Tennis-ed’ and may well represent the longest duration of uninterrupted table tennis played at sea.

Once out of the Suez Canal, the Ship’s Company were glad to be back in European waters once more and looking forward to Rhodes, the next port of call.