18th January 2024 at 12:55pm
Royal Navy patrol ship HMS Tamar has been enjoying a slice of paradise on a visit to the remote Pitcairn Islands, which lie about midway between Peru and New Zealand.
The volcanic outcrop of four tropical islands – Henderson, Lucie, Reno and the islands’ namesake, Pitcairn – are the only UK Overseas Territory in the Pacific Ocean.
With a population of around 50, the people of Pitcairn are descended from the mutineers of HMS Bounty and their Tahitian companions who settled on the islands in 1789.
- HMS Spey and HMS Tamar depart Portsmouth for Indo-Pacific deployment
- Sister ships HMS Spey and HMS Tamar reunite Down Under
- Navy warship visits fourth smallest country on the planet – renewing ties after 97 years
An official for the Administrator on Pitcairn Island, which is the only inhabited island in group, measuring just two miles long and one mile wide, posted on X that they were delighted to have HMS Tamar to visit.
They said: “We always welcome the Royal Navy to one of the most remote Overseas Territories. It must be one of the few times when the ship’s company outnumbers the local community.”
HMS Tamar, the fourth of the five Offshore Patrol Vessels built to replace the current River-class vessels, and her sister ship HMS Spey are currently on a five-year deployment to the Indo-Pacific region.
Delighted @hms_tamar is visiting #pitcairn. We always welcome the Royal Navy to one of the most remote Overseas Territories. It must be one of the few times when the ship’s company outnumbers the local community @adampileUK@FCDOGovUKpic.twitter.com/USu5PgaEjg— PitcairnPulau (@PulauResidence) January 18, 2024