British Royal Navy Ship HMS Tamar’s first visit to Tonga strengthens long-standing friendship between two Commonwealth Kingdoms

The Royal Navy ship HMS Tamar paid her first visit to the Kingdom of Tonga from 8 to 13 April. Upon its arrival, their Royal Highnesses Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala and Crown Princess Sinaitakala Tuku’aho were welcomed on board by Tamar’s Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Jim Langley, British High Commissioner Her Excellency Lucy Joyce, Lieutenant Colonel Sophie Waters, the United Kingdom’s Defence Advisor to Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, and Acting Deputy High Commissioner Tina Redshaw.

Strengthening the UK-Tonga partnership, Tamar hosted members of Tonga’s Legislative Assembly and regional Commonwealth partners and opened her gangway to Women in Uniform and school groups, furthering efforts to uplift and inspire marginalised and underrepresented groups.

“The bonds of friendship and partnership between the United Kingdom and the Friendly Isles stretch back to beyond our living memory. It is fitting that those bonds have been celebrated again with Their Royal Highnesses on board HMS Tamar, as well as parliamentarians, school groups and more,” said Tamar’s Executive Officer Lieutenant Commander Jim Langley.

Tamar’s crew – bolstered by Officer Cadets from Britannia Royal Naval College undergoing training – helped two worthy causes while in Nuku’alofa. Teams painted shipping containers used by the Tongan Red Cross Society for disaster relief supplies to extend their lifespan and completed extensive restoration work at the home of members of the Tonga National Visual Impairment Association, fixing the roof, fitting new doors and external cladding, and rebuilding the kitchen.

British High Commissioner to Tonga, Her Excellency Lucy Joyce highlighted “The visit by the Royal Navy demonstrates the enduring strength of our relationship and the importance the UK places on its partnership with Tonga and the Pacific region. We are able to showcase HMS Tamar to many of our partners here – progressing key shared objectives on climate change, defence and inclusion while also focusing on some of the next generation of Tongans with several school groups visiting the ship.”

The visit to Tonga is part of two stints in and around Fiji for HMS Tamar, where the Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) has been working with island authorities and the Royal New Zealand Navy to deal with the threat of illegal fishing. “The ambition and scope of HMS Tamar’s programme in Tonga has led to a superb range of engagements, and some memorable opportunities for the crew,” said Lieutenant Colonel Sophie Waters, the United Kingdom’s Defence Advisor to Fiji, Tonga, Vanuatu and Solomon Islands.

Their Highnesses Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala, Crown Princess Sinaitakala, Princess Royal Pilolevu and Lord Tuita were guests of honour at a flight deck reception before HMS Tamar left the Kingdom of Tonga escorted by Guardian-class patrol boat Voea Ngahau Siliva of the Tonga Maritime Force.

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Matangi Tonga Online ref. #7894 Sponsored Media release, sponsored by Birtish High Commission, Nuku'alofa. 19April -3 May 2024.