Training Ship
HMS Bristol was paid off in 1991 and refitted to again replace Kent, this time as the training ship located at HMS Excellent. Bristol is permanently berthed at Whale Island, Portsmouth and is primarily used as a training ship for the Regular & Reserve Royal Navy, enabling room-to-room searches to be practised without removing a ship from the fleet. Many young people from the Sea Cadets,(who hold two annual camps onboard) and Combined Cadet Force have their first experience of life on board a warship whilst on Bristol. The Air Training Corps & Army Cadets Units are also known to make use of the facilities. In addition, the ship is also used by a number of colleges who are running the Edexcel BTEC Public Services course. Students are able to visit the Naval installation, sleeping overnight on Bristol while receiving careers advice and tours of the dockyards and vessels.
The Ship's Company is made up of Royal Navy personnel and full-time civilian staff employed by Babcock International Group.
The Commanding Officer of Bristol is Lieutenant Commander M J Vowles RN. The Executive Officer / First Lieutenant is Lieutenant Commander John W Haynes RN Rtd.
Read more about this topic: HMS Bristol (D23)
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