Built in Scotland, the ship has sailed from the UK to the waters of the Gulf of Guinea, visiting Ghana as well as Nigeria, Senegal, Gambia and Cape Verde for security patrols and a mission to support the UK’s allies in West Africa.

Royal Marines from 42 Commando are on board. This specialist unit will train military personnel from partner countries including Ghana. 42 Commando are experts in boarding operations, helping to end illegal maritime activity like piracy, drugs-smuggling and terrorism. The training they will deliver to Ghana’s Armed Forces will include boarding and searching of suspicious vessels, as well as evidence handling and medical skills.

British High Commissioner, Harriet Thompson said:

HMS Trent’s deployment to Ghana shows the UK-Ghana security partnership in action: a mutually beneficial partnership built on the sharing of expertise, intelligence and training.

The arrival of HMS Trent strengthens our shared commitment to ensure that Ghana continues to be recognised as a world-renowned peacekeeper strengthened through the skills and experience of the British Armed Forces.

During her visit, the ship will also host an Ocean Dialogue event. This will enable the UK, Ghana and international partners to reflect on managing the risks to Ghana’s ocean environment from over fishing and pollution, and look at how commitments and initiatives such as those emerging from COP26 can help to tackle them.

HMS Trent’s Commanding Officer, Commander Thomas Knott said:

Trent is conducting her first Maritime Security deployment to West Africa and the Gulf of Guinea and the regional knowledge of my Sailors and Commandos is rapidly improving.

Our visit to Ghana is essential in strengthening our partnership with the Ghanaian Navy so that we’re always ready to respond together, from piracy interdiction operations to lifesaving assistance at sea.

HMS Trent is one of 5 Royal Navy patrol ships currently operating around the world in areas of critical importance to the UK – from the Indo-Pacific, South Atlantic to the Mediterranean and Caribbean.

This is part of the Royal Navy’s Forward Presence programme that seeks to position patrol ships around the globe ready to respond to global events.