Warship crew complete training after refit in Devon

Members of the crew of a Devon-based warship have completed fleet operational sea training (FOST), which was the final stage of the vessel's mid-life refit, the Royal Navy says.

Type 23 Royal Navy frigate HMS St Albans completed the work at its Devonport base, which involved preparing all members on board for peacetime and wartime work, as well as humanitarian operations, the navy said.

Executive Officer (XO) Byron Linn said it had been a long journey "training alongside the trials and calibration of the ship since February".

He said: "This final six weeks has been the validation of our own training, plus all the good stuff FOST has taught us".

The ship's refit saw a total 1.2 million working hours by sailors, engineers and software specialists, and included the fitting of new equipment, the navy said.

XO Linn said the training was needed to make sure everyone knew what they were doing.

He said: "My team has learnt lots of stuff in terms of the external battle, but also the internal battle when it comes to putting out fires or dealing with casualties.

"FOST makes us work hard together on a daily basis. As a result, we have bonded as a crew".

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