HMS Severn and the organisers of Port St Mary's Queenie Festival are delighted to announce a further reason for people to come down and enjoy this year's Festival.

HMS Severn will be coming into Baie ny Carrickey from 27 to 29 June and the crew will be taking part in the festival in Port St Mary, which celebrates the Island’s fishing heritage and the Queen Scallop or ‘Queenie’ in particular.

The ship will be attending the festival as they take a short break from their fishery protection role in the Irish Sea. As one of three 80m River Class Patrol Vessels in the Royal Navy’s Fishery Protection Squadron, HMS Severn spends up to 300 days per year at sea safeguarding the rich fishery area around the British Isles and protecting fish stocks for future generations.

Using Port St Mary as the basis of operations for the weekend, representatives of the ship are also hoping to take part in the Island's Armed Forces Day on the Sunday (29 June).

Isle of Man Government Armed Forces Champion, Juan Watterson MHK said, "It will be great to cement Port St Mary's connection with the Royal Navy, as it has been some years since a Royal Navy vessel has been able to join in a festival in the Port. Part of the armed forces community covenant is being together with servicemen in the community, so this is a great example of this in action."

Lt Commander Berry, Commanding Officer of HMS SEVERN said “I’m absolutely delighted to be taking part in this celebration of the sea; having very close links with both the Manx Fishing Industry and this diverse and beautiful Island steeped in maritime history, it will be an interesting and fun time for my sailors to enjoy some of your finest ‘Queenies’, washed down with a pint of local ale.”