Meet the North East crew aboard HMS Northumberland as warship visits River Tyne

HMS Northumberland is currently docked at the Port of Tyne International Ferry Terminal in North Shields for a routine port visit to the North East with the aim of strengthening its ties with its affiliated county.

Named after the Duke of Northumberland, the Royal Navy Type 23 Frigate specialises in anti-submarine warfare.

It currently holds an operational duty which includes the possibility of being tasked at short notice to respond to unexpected global events, whilst preparing for operational sea training before assuming a period of national and contingent tasking.

It is one of four Type 23 Frigates built by Swan Hunter on the Tyne at Wallsend and is based in Devonport, Plymouth and is part of the Devonport Flotilla.

As part of its special visit to the region the ship sailed into the River Tyne on Thursday, February 6, where it will remain stationed through to Sunday, February 9.

On Saturday, February 8, from 11am to 3pm, the public are invited to come and take a look around the ship.

Kassie Rennoldson, from Ryhope in Sunderland, is the ship’s Deputy Logistics Officer.

Her varied role sees her deal with the likes of the ship’s supply chain as well as undertaking HR and legal work.

She has been full time in the role for more than two years and has more than four years of experience on board the likes of the RFA Argus, HMS Severn and HMS Albion.

On her day-to-day responsibilities on board, said: “My role means that I deal with the supply chain, HR, all of the catering aspects, all of the legal work.

“As logistics officer it is incredibly varied, so I can spend all day in stores, ordering something for a defect on board, or I could be in the galley which is the kitchen, making sure the ship’s company are getting fed.

“We have to have so much food on board in order to sail, so we have to have more than 14 days worth of food on board to sail, so there’s looking after that and making sure our endurance is up.

“With HR we make sure that everybody gets paid and I am also the command legal adviser so anything that is going on on-board in terms of legal work for the sailors I help with and advise the captain as to what he should or shouldn’t do.”When we are alongside we have defence engagement so we have visitors coming on board, we give ship tours and we go and visit various out stations.

“My family are coming on board, so it will be nice to show them what I do, or at least where I do it.”

Petty Officer Tom Baxter, from Durham, is the gas turbine maintainer on-board. He said: “This weekend is a bit of down time for us having been at sea.

“It’s nice to be back up home, I will probably see some family on Saturday.”