New Commanding Officer takes charge of Royal Navy ship HMS Spey in light of Taiwan China patrols
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A Royal Navy ship that defied the warnings of China to enforce international freedom has a new Commanding Officer.
Commander Daniel Briscoe has taken charge of HMS Spey, a Portsmouth-assigned offshore patrol vessel forward deployed in the pacific. The decision was announced on the ship’s social media account on Wednesday (January 7).
This coincided with several of the ship’s company being commemorated for their work. “On completion, Cdr Briscoe took the opportunity to award several members of the Ship's company with their Wider Service Medals,” the statement said.
Cdr Briscoe has replaced the previous Commanding Officer, Commander Paul Caddy. The ship conducts regular patrols in the Indo-Pacific and has various duties to uphold.
These are attending diplomatic events organised by Commonwealth and international allies, anti drug-smuggling patrols, protection of designated areas from illegal fishing, and counter terrorism operations. HMS Spey entered a maintenance period in August 2025, a well-deserved break after spending half a decade patrolling the region.
During that time, she covered 182,000 nautical miles and visited 25 countries, often conducting exercises alongside her sister ship HMS Tamar. Her importance in upholding the freedom of navigation to all sailors came to the forefront last year.
Defying the warnings of China, she conducted patrols in the Taiwan Strait - the first mission of its kind in four years at the time. This proceeded the work of the UK Carrier Strike Group, that made similar patrols under the command of HMS Prince of Wales.
The aim was for the Royal Navy to uphold international law rights provided under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). HMS Spey also joined Commonwealth allies during a 16-day exercise in the South China Sea.
The contingent helped defend the Tioman island group in a fictitious invasion during Exercise Bersama Shield, joining forces with Australia, Malaysia, Singapore, and New Zealand.