A reception for officers and crew of HMS Ramsey was held at Ramsey Town Hall on Friday May 29th, 2009, co-hosted by Ramsey Town Commissioners and the Ramsey branch of the Royal Naval Association.

The 600-tonne Royal Navy mine hunter had been in Manx waters for five days en route for a refit after a two and a half year tour of duty in the Arabian Gulf.

At the reception, commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Sarah West explained the current 37-strong ship’s company had been at sea for seven months. She said she was delighted the visit would serve to reinvigorate the close links HMS Ramsey enjoyed with the people of the town that bore its name, and added she hoped HMS Ramsey would return next year as 2010 will mark the 10th anniversary of when the ship was commissioned.

Chairman of Ramsey Town Commissioners Sylvia Beattie said the Commissioners and the people of Ramsey were proud of their  association with HMS Ramsey, and presented Lieutenant Commander West with gifts to mark the ship’s company’s visit to the town.

Among the ship’s company was 19-year-old Able Seaman Kevin Gawne, from Waterloo Road, Ramsey, who has been in the Royal Navy for just over two years and was joined at the reception by his parents, David and Tracey Gawne.

Following a refit HMS Ramsey will serve on a NATO deployment in the Baltic and Mediterranean.

Pictured: Chairman of Ramsey Town Commissioners Sylvia Beattie with HMS Ramsey commanding officer Lieutenant Commander Sarah West and Able Seaman Kevin Gawne