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HMS Trenchant returns to Devon HMS Trenchant returns to Plymouth after 11-month deployment
(about 14 hours later)
A Royal Navy submarine is returning home to Devonport later after 11 months at sea. A Royal Navy submarine has returned home to Devonport after 11 months at sea.
HMS Trenchant has been away for 335 days taking part in operations to tackle terrorism and the drugs trade. HMS Trenchant was away for 335 days, taking part in operations to tackle terrorism and the drugs trade.
It was one of the longest Trafalgar Class submarine deployments, according to the Royal Navy. It was the longest Trafalgar class submarine deployment, the Royal Navy said.
During its time away, the nuclear submarine has spent more 4,700 hours underwater, which is the equivalent of six and a half months. During its time away, the nuclear submarine spent more than 4,700 hours underwater - the equivalent of six-and-a-half months.
'Potent utility''Potent utility'
During its deployment the vessel visited the Kingdom of Bahrain, Aqaba in Jordan, Crete and Gibraltar. Dozens of families were reunited when the vessel returned at about 16:30 BST with an onboard compliment of 130 sailors.
Commander Irvine Lindsay, HMS Trenchant's commanding officer, said: "It is believed that this 11-month period away from the UK is the longest ever UK nuclear submarine deployment. During its deployment, the nuclear-powered hunter-killer vessel - which travelled 38,800 nautical miles, or the equivalent of 1.75 times around the world - visited the Kingdom of Bahrain, Aqaba in Jordan, Crete and Gibraltar.
"The ship's company have met every challenge head-on. They have achieved success on operations, maintaining the material state of the submarine in a harsh environment and demonstrating the unique and potent military utility of the submarine." Commander Irvine Lindsay, HMS Trenchant's commanding officer, said: "This 11-month period away from the UK is the longest ever UK nuclear submarine deployment."
Only seven of the crew were on board for the complete deployment, the navy said,
However, Cdr Lindsay added the ship's company "met every challenge head-on".
He said: "They have achieved success on operations, maintaining the material state of the submarine in a harsh environment and demonstrating the unique and potent military utility of the submarine."
During its 11 months at sea, HMS Trenchant conducted training and exercises with seven UK warships, a French submarine, multiple US warships and auxiliaries, a US submarine and a range of multinational aircraft.During its 11 months at sea, HMS Trenchant conducted training and exercises with seven UK warships, a French submarine, multiple US warships and auxiliaries, a US submarine and a range of multinational aircraft.
After coming alongside in Plymouth, Cdr Lindsay said events the boat missed while at sea included the Olympics and the announcement of the Duchess of Cambridge's pregnancy.
He added he was "looking forward to fresh air".