The fifth Royal Navy vessel to visit Gibraltar in the past fortnight Minehunter HMS Ledbury has sailed into the Naval Base today on a short visit to top up on supplies before heading into the Mediterranean. The vessel left Portsmouth last week on a four month NATO Mine Counter Measures Group 2. The group works throughout the year defending sea routes from the threat of underwater mines. They also carry out joint training exercises.

The HMS Ledbury is particularly noteworthy as on the vessel’s first day of deployment, she discovered the remains of a German sea mine from World War 2. The Type C german mine was found in Weymouth Bay. Commenting on the discovery, Lieutenant Justin Hains stated that finding historic ordnance and rendering it safe is a core role of the NATO Group. He added, ‘I am pleased to establish our credentials so early in the deployment. The GC is one of the largest historic sea mines and can still present a very real danger, especially to trawlers or when washed up on beaches.’