HMS Kent in Kent

HMS Kent is visiting its namesake county this weekend.

The warship, officially classed as a Type 23 Frigate, is due to dock at Prince of Wales pier at midday on Friday and will stay in port until Monday.

The ship and its company have a busy programme over the four days of their visit, starting tonight (Friday) with a reception on board for invited guests. On Saturday the ship will be open to visitors from 9.30am-12 noon and 3-5pm and they will be able to view some of the equipment onboard a modern warship and also have the chance to talk to the crew about their experiences in the Royal Navy.

That day crew members will also form an honorary guard as part of the parade to mark the unveiling of a memorial to airmen who took part in an operation known as The Channel Dash during the second world war, which was an attempt to stop German ships breaking through into the North Sea in 1942.

Eighteen pilots took off from Manston in torpedo bombers, all were shot down, only five survived.

On Sunday, some of the ship's company will journey to Sittingbourne where they will visit Demelza House, the ship's affiliated charity, and meet with both staff and children to hear more about the amazing work carried out by the hospice.

While there they will help redevelop part of the hospice, in order to make it a nicer environment for the residents and their families.

HMS Kent Facts and Figures

HMS KENT is the twelfth ship to bear the name and the Royal Navy's fourteenth Type 23 Frigate.

She was built in Clyde, Scotland, and launched on the 27th May 1998 by HRH Princess Alexandra of Kent. 

HMS KENT is a Type 23 Frigate, one of the most advanced class of ships in the Royal Navy, able to support numerous roles both in national and international waters. These include undertaking both peace time tasks; such as disaster relief, sanctions enforcement and peacekeeping. 

She is 133m in length, weighs around 5,000 tonnes and can reach speeds of 28 Knots.