HMS Caroline Inclined at Belfast
Representatives from Holyhead Marine Services and Amgram travelled to Belfast this week to carry out inclining trials on HMS caroline. Launched and commissioned in 1914 HMS Caroline is the second oldest ship in RN service. She is the last remaining British World War One light cruiser in service, and the last survivor of the Battle of Jutland still afloat. She now acts as a static headquarters for the Royal Naval Reserve although it is due to be decomissioned in the coming weeks.
Holyhead Marine exhibited its new Mid Console Variant of the Offshore Raiding craft this week at DSEI 2009. Piloted by the Royal Marines of 539 Assault SQN the craft put on quite a show for spectators at the Royal Victoria Docks in London. This is the latest variant on the successful ORC design in service with the Royal Marines and features a centralised console position to allow a 360° field of fire as well as improved ballistic protection. The boat has been designed primarily as a gunboat and visitors were impressed by its combination of manoeuvrability and firepower. The boat and crew have just returned from operation Taurus, a routine deployment of the Royal Navy’s Amphibious Task Group, taking in the Mediterranean, the Arabian Sea, the Indian Ocean and the Far East.
Offshore Raiding Craft no. 16 travelled to London this week to take part in DSEi 2007. At Holyhead Marine`s first showing at the World`s most prestigious defence show, the ORC wowed spectators with its manoeuvrability and control as it was put through its paces in the Royal Victoria Dock. The aft console Fire Support Platform variant will be stripped back to its troop carrying/patrol role before taking its place in Faslane`s Royal Marines Fleet Protection Group. 
One of the most interesting boats on the floating pontoon at Seawork International 2007 will be the Holyhead Marine, 15m MoD Police Patrol Boat. This first of class boat, designed by Camarc Ltd and built by the Anglesey based yard is to serve as the next generation MoD Police craft. The new design GRP hulled vessel is also a natural for other patrol roles, the pilot boat market and other workboat applications. The Ministry of Defence Police (MDP) has the largest Marine capability of any police force in the UK, with units at HM Naval Bases at Devonport, Portsmouth and Faslane on the Clyde. MDP Marine Police officers exercise constabulary powers and privileges in UK territorial waters in relation to Crown property. They escort and protect warships and submarines, both UK and international, within the Dockyard Ports.