The ship formerly known HMS Grimsby is now playing a crucial role in the war in
Ukraine against Putin's Russia. Decommissioned two years ago, the former Royal Navy minehunter was offered to the Ukrainian navy and is now patrolling the Black Sea to keep vital grain and steel shipping lanes open. As part of its decommissioning, the ship's bell and charter crest were presented to North East Lincolnshire Council for safe keeping. After receiving the symbols, the Mayor of North East Lincolnshire, Councillor Ian Lindley, said: "We were sad to see it go, but also proud that it bore the name of the town where ever she sailed." He added: "We are going to be custodians of the bell and charter, as and until another vessel is named HMS Grimsby. READ MORE: Free dashcams to be offered to northern Lincolnshire motorists to record driving offences Dramatic
explosion on Cleethorpes beach after
bomb squad called in "Then we would be giving them back to the commander and crew of the new ship. Until then, the public can see the bell and charter on display in Grimsby Town Hall. "Grimsby is very proud to have a vessel named after it. When the ship came to Grimsby, the crew and commander were welcomed with open arms." HMS Grimsby's captain Graeme Hazlewood with Reuben Marshall-Jones, 7, on the bridge of the ship during an open day in 2019. (Image: Howard Roe) In 2019, more than 2,000 people visited HMS Grimsby during an open day to show the town's admiration for the Royal Navy minehunter and her crew. They received the freedom of the borough. During that visit, Captain Graeme Hazelwood told Grimsby Live: "We don't get to come to Grimsby as often as we would like and re-establish our bond. We are proud of our link with the town. "When we are working with our Allies, the Americans, in the Gulf, they have a lovely interest in where Grimsby is and what the place is all about. We are proud to tell them of our links. the name of Grimsby travels far." Prior to the
Russian invasion of Ukraine, HMS Grimsby was involved in drugs raids on vessels. The minehunter has a remote-controlled sonar device capable of going 200 metres to examine a suspicious device. The Sea Fox can remotely attach explosives if it an object is deemed a threat, in order to blow it up. The crew also included seven divers who can submerge 60 metres to tackle explosive devices. Back in 2019, Captain Hazelwood said: "Whenever we deploy our bigger vessels including the
Queen Elizabeth, we have to ensure we are not taking any risks of mines being in the area. There are those who can use sophisticated mines or those that throw an improvised device off the back of a fishing boat and they are a danger to us. It could also be a force just saying that a waterway is mined." Announcing HMS Grimsby's new role in Ukraine, Defence Secretary, Grant Shapps said: "Ukrainians have proven more than once that their navy is more than just a navy in name only. And we must help them do even more. Ukraine must triumph on the water as well as the battlefield itself. And that’s the only way to ensure freedom of navigation in the Black Sea. The only way to ensure Ukrainian vessels operate free from Russian bullying, to allow the unimpeded transport of their vital grain and steel to the four corners of the world." As well as training Ukrainian navy service personnel, the
UK has also supplied two minehunters and a range of landing equipment and Viking amphibious vehicles. Two thirds of Ukraine's navy was wiped out when
Russia annexed Crimea 10 years ago. Join the FREE Grimsby Live
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