HMS Cumberland is visiting Malta as she makes her way to the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa. The ship’s stop here will be her first visit as she starts her six-month deployment.

The current HMS Cumberland has long-standing connections with Malta, having visited three times since she was commissioned. At sea, en route to Malta, the captain, Captain David Dutton, said:

“I am very much looking forward to our visit to Malta. Malta’s long established links with the Royal Navy have been vital throughout history and I am delighted that we in HMS Cumberland have the opportunity to renew those ties. Our visit will allow my ship’s company time to ensure that the ship is ready in every way to conduct operations in the Gulf of Aden and Horn of Africa and we will be making best use of the first rate facilities and enjoying all that the island has to offer.”

HMS Cumberland is deploying to the Gulf of Aden and the Horn of Africa as part of the UK’s contribution to maritime security in the region. Cumberland’s deployment will be the ship’s second to the region in six months; her operations in the Gulf of Aden last year saw the ship interdict four separate groups of pirates and confiscate weapons and associated equipment.

Once in the Gulf of Aden, Cumberland will not be confined solely to counter piracy operations; she will also contribute to a range of other maritime security tasks, which will include counter-smuggling (arms and drugs), counter-terrorism and counter-people trafficking.

The Cumberland leaves on Sunday. She will be berthed at Pinto Wharf and will not be open to the public.