Jan 27 - Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron Receives Top Level Naval Award for Protection of BGTW
The Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron yesterday received top Naval award, the Surface Fleet Efficiency Trophy, in the Inshore Patrol Vessel category on behalf of their challenging work defending British Gibraltar Territorial Waters.
The citation for the award insisted ‘against the backdrop of a dynamic and often inflamed political situation, the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron Patrol Boats of HMS SCIMITAR and HMS SABRE as well as the Rigid Inflatable Pacific 24 Rhibs deploy daily to demonstrate British sovereignty and reassure the people of Gibraltar’.
Awarding the trophy, Governor Sir James Dutton touched upon the fleet’s professionalism praising them for carrying out their duties, daily whilst being in the public eye. ‘It’s a pretty discerning public as well, and sometimes really quite a critical public.
He further commented on the fleet’s extremely rapid reaction in the protection of the sovereignty of BGTW adding that they work every minute of every day ‘protecting sovereignty for the long term.’ The Governor also touched upon the twenty six-man fleet’s job of reassuring the public that they can react rapidly to incursions. He thanked the team for their hard work.
Commanding Officer of the Fleet, Lieutenant Commander Rob Garner said that it was an immense honour for the fleet. He added that they worked extremely every day of 2014, delivering operations out in BGTW. He insisted that it is a particular honour to be recognized at such a high level within the Royal Navy, with the order for the award coming from the First Lord himself.
On the matter of being under the watchful eye of the public, the CO said that it was extremely satisfying to know how supportive the Gibraltarian public, are of the fleet. He added that hopefully the Gibraltarian people are as pleased as he is about the award.
