HMS Argyll defends Iraqi oil platforms

[Anth]

Since arriving in the Gulf at the beginning of November, Royal Navy warship HMS Argyll has been patrolling and defending the oil platforms which ensure Iraq's oil flows to world markets, a vital requirement for the economic growth and stabilisation of the country.

HMS Argyll on patrol in the Gulf
[Picture: Royal Navy]

The Type 23 'Duke' class frigate is acting as part of an international task force of British, American and Australian ships that maintain a 24/7 watch over the crowded waters of the North Arabian Gulf, around the Khawr al Amayah and Al Basrah Oil Terminals.

The task force, which consists of small cutters and patrol vessels as well as a small number of larger ships like the Argyll, is responsible not only for the security of the area but also for training the Iraqi Navy to eventually take on that responsibility.

The area, which is inside Iraq's territorial sea not far from the port of Umm Qasr, is a popular fishing ground for local dhows and is criss-crossed with local trading routes. Operating a frigate in such a busy waterway, particularly one that is so shallow, presents plenty of challenges to the team on Argyll's bridge.

Lieutenant Smith, one of the ship's officers of the watch, said:

"We have to be very careful here - these fishermen have a living to make and we need to respect that but at the same time we can't let our guard down. Al Qaeda has tried to attack these platforms in the past and I'm sure they'd want to do it again."

Below decks, the ship is ready to respond to any attack, with the ship's company working in 'defence watches', a six hours on, six hours off routine that continues day and night. The ship will be in the Gulf for much of the time between now and her return to the UK in April next year.

Deputy Weapons Engineer Officer, Lieutenant Erin Simpson, said:

"It's good to know that we're doing important work out here. Without those oil platforms the reconstruction work that is being done ashore in Iraq would become very much harder."

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