Wonderful families day sees loved ones sail on HMS Tyne after months of Russia ops - pictures

Friends and family were delighted to sail with their loved ones after six months of intense operations.

Portsmouth-based patrol vessel HMS Tyne hosted a special families day this weekend. The event, funded by a grant through the Royal Navy and Royal Marines Charity (RNRMC), allowed personnel to have a well-deserved rest following an extended period of monitoring Russian ships.

Guests were given the opportunity to experience what life it like at sea and gain an understanding of the day-to-day work carried out by the ship’s company. Families joined the crew for a sail around the Solent before returning alongside to enjoy lunch together on the jetty.

Catering was provided externally so so the chefs and food preparation team could enjoy the day alongside their comrades. “Families’ Day plays an important role in strengthening the connection between service personnel and those who support them from home,” the RNRMC said.

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“It provides families with a first-hand insight into life in the Royal Navy while also creating opportunities to build relationships with other military families. The event was a fitting way to mark the end of a demanding period of tasking, celebrate the support of families, and recognise the vital role they play in maintaining the morale and wellbeing of the ship’s company.”

In HMS Tyne social media statement added: “A huge thank you to the RNRMC for supporting our Families Day! We all had a fantastic time bringing together loved ones and friends for a day at sea. We’re so grateful for their continued support.”

HMS Tyne, a River-class ship, is regularly deployed from HMNB Portsmouth to monitor Russian ships in the English Channel. According to the MoD Annual Report and Accounts 2025-26, Royal Navy vessels were activated 116 times to shadow 61 Russian warships and 28 Moscow merchant vessels in the within the UK’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) during that timeframe - all part of Operation Addison.

Within the EEZ, there has been a 30 per cent increase in activity over the past two years. One of HMS Tyne’s most high-profile recent operations was monitoring the Kremlin’s RFN Neustrashimy as it conducted a live-fire weapons exercise roughly 40 nautical miles south of Plymouth on July 20.

The warship requested that the vessel be kept at a safe distance. Drills took place in international waters and lasted for around 30 minutes.