Monaco Revue   
All aboard! Brits welcome HMS Exeter

It wasn't an event of the British Association of Monaco (BAM), but it certainly looked like it. Brits from the principality and from across the region converged on the port at Villefranche- sur-Mer on the 15th of last month for the rare experience of sailing on a warship in Her Majesty's service.

The previous day, BAM members had joined in the tradition of hosting servicemen -- and women -- at their homes for Valentine's Day. The crew of the HMS Exeter graciously returned the favour by taking their Riviera-based compatriots for a spin on their big boat -- literally. On her way from Villefranche to Monaco, the 30-year old ship, which saw active duty in the Falklands War, was put through maneuvers which demonstrated her ability to rapidly change course and get to wherever she's needed.

Impressed, outgoing BAM president Rob Rutter declared to Lt Commander Charlie Guy: "I want one!" 		 

Also taking in the treat were former Miss England Pauline Bull, who until recently chartered super yachts; Outward Bound Monaco general secretary Judy Churchill; and photographer Anthony Evans, who is producing a massive coffee table book on the principality.

It had been more than 17 years since a British warship of this size had come to Monaco, said Commander Paul Brown, who had in fact been a midshipman on that previous visit. After HMS Exeter's exercises with the French Air Force and before heading to the Black Sea to join NATO training for the war against terrorism, the ship docked in Monaco for a few days.

If the crew used their shore leave to visit the Casino, they could easily claim they were doing research for a particular upcoming assignment. James Bond is of course associated with Monaco, where parts of GoldenEye was filmed, and the fictional spy's CV says he served on board the HMS Exeter for two years before he was selected for MI6.

"We've been invited back to London for the launch of the next James Bonds book in advance of the next James Bond film," Commander Paul said. "Everybody on board is frightfully excited about it. And hopefully, we might even get to meet Daniel Craig!"

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Comments to date: 1. Page 1 of 1.

Gary Bland,  London

Posted at 4:03am on Tuesday, August 25th, 2009

Please add me to the revue. I enjoyed reading the site.

Thank you

 




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