HMS Trent has been deployed to hunt drug smugglers in the Caribbean Sea – a different part of the world to her usual area of operation.

The Royal Navy Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) replaces HMS Dauntless, who has arrived back in Portsmouth, having seized more than £200m worth of cocaine during her hurricane season deployment.

HMS Trent usually operates in the Mediterranean and off the west coast of Africa as part of a long-term security mission, but will be taking over HMS Medway’s duties in the Caribbean.

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HMS Medway, a River-Class vessel, normally patrols the Caribbean, but has been in the South Atlantic while her sister vessel HMS Forth underwent maintenance.

Prior to her Caribbean mission, HMS Trent had been working with coastal West African nations to help disrupt illegal activity and promote security along the busy shipping lanes during her second deployment to the Gulf of Guinea.

Deployed with a specialist Royal Marines boarding team and a Puma surveillance drone, HMS Trent worked to develop skills and techniques needed to counter illicit activity in the region.

The ship’s company has been carrying out post-deployment maintenance over the past month, getting the OPV ready for the Caribbean Sea.

Sub-Lieutenant Tom Bartlett said: “Our tour of the Gulf of Guinea was a great opportunity to train with and build relationships with partner nations. The crew have thoroughly enjoyed their time in Gibraltar whilst we prepare for our new adventures.”

HMS Trent travelled as far as Nigeria, visiting seven countries in West Africa, supporting local navies, hosting local dignitaries and supporting maritime security in the region.

She is a permanently forward-deployed naval vessel, commissioned into the Royal Navy in 2020, tasked with upholding maritime security and UK interests in the Mediterranean and around Africa.

HMS Trent, which has a range of 5,500 nautical miles, is also tasked with shielding fishing stocks and performing constabulary duties.

The OPV underwent extensive maintenance in Gibraltar earlier in the year.