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HMS Nottingham aground - from the CO's perspective
On July 7th 2002, HMS Nottingham ran aground on Wolf Rock, making headline news all over the world. Richard Farrington CBE, the Commanding Officer, was the man in charge of the ship and its 270+ Ships Company, and there is much speculation about his whereabouts when the accident occurred. This week, Jenna sits down with Richard to clear up the speculation and hear his emotional, first hand account of every second, from the moment the ship hit the ground, through the aftermath.This is an incredibly moving account of what was a very stressful and frightening period of time for everyone involved. I'm sure you'll agree that what comes across the strongest is Richard's absolute adoration and respect for every member of his Ships Company and their professionalism in the face of serious adversity.Growing up by the water, Richard started out in lobster boats from the age of four and started sailing when he was ten. A career afloat was inevitable and he joined the Royal Navy in 1980 as a Seaman Officer. Armed with a degree from Durham University he went on to serve in minehunters, fishery protection vessels, fast patrol boats, frigates, destroyers, amphibious ships and aircraft carriers around the globe.Specialising in communications and electronic warfare, he was appointed OBE in 2000 for work in counter narcotics and promoted CBE in 2010 for work in counter-piracy - he was instrumental in setting up the EU's Operation Atalanta, the Internationally Recognised Transit Corridor in the Gulf of Aden, the Shared Awareness and Deconfliction Group in the Gulf, The Maritime Security Centre Horn of Africa, and the Mercury international communications system.He undertook several Command appointments, ran the Navy's tactical development school, served in the Ministry of Defence in London, Northwood and Portsmouth and his last job in the Navy was the Commander, Devonport Flotilla, with over twenty ships and submarines and 4000 men and women under his command.Richard left the Royal Navy in 2015 after 36 years of service and now focuses on running his own consultancy, RF Marine Consultancy and Surveys, allowing him to continue to serve the maritime industry.
