World Millitary Power

A Devonport based warship has been named the Royal Navy’s most effective ship for the second year in a row.

Fleet flagship, HMS Bulwark, has been presented with the 2013 Royal Navy Capital Ship Efficiency.

The pennant is presented annually to the larger class of ship that has made a consistent and outstanding contribution in the execution of her tasking and shown the highest standards of effectiveness in the course of her duties throughout the year.

The pennant was presented by the head of Flag Officer Sea Training, Rear Admiral Ben Key on board to Able Seaman Lewis Cox, 19, from Plymouth on behalf of the commanding officer Captain Andrew Burns.

Captain Burns, who has since been superseded by Captain Dean Bassett, said it was a great honour.

“My ship and her ship’s company are exceptional and have delivered everything that has been asked of them to a particularly high standard on every occasion,” he said.

“The operational tempo of the previous 12 months has been relentless, so I am delighted that their achievements have been recognised; they fully deserve this accolade.”

Surface flotilla effectiveness trophies are awarded annually to ships or other units in recognition of achievement of excellence. They reflect operational achievements with HMS Bulwark being rewarded for taking part in the amphibious Cougar 13 exercise last year.

The deployment involved many months of planning and intensive and highly dynamic activities with a task group of ships, a helicopter and aircraft and Royal Marines exercising landing forces on-shore and working with other navies.

This year Bulwark is facing a similarly busy timetable, including operational sea training, Exercise Joint Warrior off Scotland, celebrations to mark the 70th anniversary of the Normandy D-Day landings, a London visit and an operational deployment.