In a break from sustained periods of Counter Drug patrols, HMS Richmond visited the island of Curacao, otherwise known as the Netherlands Antilles. Curacao provided the ideal opportunity to relax after a busy period at sea and the chance to catch up on postcards.

The island is a splendid mix of the Caribbean with a light continental touch and lives up to its name as one of the Windward Islands by being fairly windy most of the time. Mostly though this takes the shape of stiff but pleasant breeze to make the heat of the day a little less intense.

The period alongside gave the Ship's divers a good training opportunity in a fairly concentrated programme whilst the leisure facilities on the island gave the many sports divers on the ship the chance to explore reefs and feed sharks in a controlled environment.