A staggering 20 per cent of a British destroyer’s crew have learned to dive in their time off during an overseas tour of duty.

In July HMS Liverpool returned to Portsmouth after a six-month patrol in the Caribbean, visiting 12 islands. During this time 45 members of the ship’s company made the most of their opportunities to train as divers and enjoy the colourful attractions of Caribbean marine life.

All qualified as PADI Open Water divers, and six found the time to train further as Advanced Open Water divers. They were taught chiefly by Dive Bus in Curaçao, Dive Adventures in Barbados, and Captain’s Corner in Key West.

Aboard ship, the enthusiasm for diving was shared from the bridge down. The ship’s commanding officer, Commander Gerry Northwood, is a qualified naval diver.

“I have been diving for many years and I believe the challenge and teamwork involved are exactly the qualities that we in the Royal Navy want from our people,” he said.

“I was delighted that so many of my team were able to benefit from the opportunity offered by our time in the Caribbean and to open the door to the opportunities offered by the underwater world.”

HMS Liverpool was in the Caribbean as part of Britain’s maritime contribution to the international anti-drugs campaign and to hurricane relief services.

Crew embarked ashore to aid outreach programmes including house construction, schools restoration and provision of health clinics.

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