Ex-Royal Navy ship HMS Pembroke now Cpt Constantin Dumitrescu sailing in Portsmouth ahead of move to new home
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A former Royal Navy ship that was decommissioned last year has been sailing around Portsmouth ahead of moving to a new home.
Ex HMS Pembroke, now known as Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu, was seen sailing out of HMNB Portsmouth this afternoon (October 6). Video footage captured the former Sandown-class minehunter sailing past The Round Tower in Old Portsmouth at roughly 1.35pm.
According to the King’s Harbour Master shipping movements, she is due to return to the naval base this evening. The minehunter was bought by the Romanian Navy two years ago alongside her sister ship HMS Blyth. Both of them will be supporting Nato’s security mission in the Black Sea - clearing unexploded ordnances from shipping lanes and other threats.
A ceremony was held in Rosyth in August to mark the transfer of the vessel. Commodore Richard Whalley, Former Head of Sales and Exports at DE&S, previously said the sale higlights the strong relationship between the UK and Romania, and supports Nato’s collective mission to global security.
British sailors gave their Romanian counterparts a demanding assessment ahead of taking control of the minehunter. High-intensity scenario based training was conducted, including mock breakdowns, emergency fires and floods, neutralising mines, full-scale naval combat, and other drills.
Commander Tim Castrinoyannakis, Commander Global Sea Training, said: “The crew demonstrated exceptional tenacity, professionalism, and a positive attitude throughout. Their successful completion of training reflects the strength of our international partnerships and the value of Royal Navy training.”
ROS Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu is due to sail to Constantia Naval Base on the Black Sea coast, She will undergo a maintenance period before joining the Black Sea Mine Countermeasures Task Group, a multinational imitative which collaborates with Bulgaria, Turkey, and - when conditions allow - Ukraine.
HMNB Portsmouth has already seen Ukrainian minehunters - UNS Mariupol and UNS Melitopol - visit for their crews to undergo similar training regimes. The base regularly plays host to international guests for training exercises and fuel stops. The Royal Navy has been approached for further details about Căpitan Constantin Dumitrescu’s visit to Portsmouth.