MEDIA INFORMATION

12thJune 2017

Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival hosts HMS Severn

− HMS Severn to dock in Weymouth Harbour and raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission–

Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival (8th & 9thJuly) is playing host to HMS Severn, a River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel – part of the Royal Navy’s Fishery Squad. The ship is taking part of the 10 year anniversary celebrations and will raise money for the Fishermen’s Mission.

Thanks to the Royal Navy, Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival visitors will be able to board HMS Severn, tour the ship and hear more about the work the Royal Navy and Fishermen’s Mission do along the UK coastline. The ship will be moored in the harbour and the crew and captain will be educating and entertaining guests throughout the weekend – all in aid of the Fishermen’s Mission.

Ship open times during the day:

Saturday 8th July11:00 – 16:30

Sunday 9th July11:00 - 16:30

The River Class Offshore Patrol Vessel is part of the oldest squadron in the Navy, with its primary role to conduct Marine Enforcement patrols within the UK’s exclusive economic zone. These patrols chiefly focus on Fishery Protection duties and SEVERN, along with her sisters HM Ships TYNE and MERSEY, regularly board fishing vessels of all nationalities throughout the year. These boarding’s support the industry by providing advice and guidance with new legislation and safety regulations, as well as enforcing the law if required.

LieutenantChrisPoulson Royal Navy, SEVERN’s Executive Officer and Second-in-Command commented:“I am very much looking forward to attending the Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival in the summer with the Ship. As well as our role in boarding fishing vessels all around the UK, HMS SEVERN’s Company particularly enjoy supporting the fishing industry at these events, especially with the help of the Fishermen’s Mission. SEVERN’s boarding teams and seaboat crews work with fishermen throughout the year and we look forward to supporting and meeting all of those involved in the industry, from those who catch and market the fish all the way through to those who cook and serve it.”

Nick O’Neil, Mission Area Officer, The Fishermen’s Mission commented:“We are extremely proud, grateful and appreciative that HMS Severn and all the crew will be attending this year’s Pommery Dorset Seafood Festival. The Fishermen’s Mission enjoys a good working relationship with the fishery patrols and know that the work they carry out is of vital importance to ensuring that legislation and safety are adhered to. We are all very grateful for the support and encouragement from the Royal Navy and hope that visitors enjoy seeing, hearing and learning more about the role HMS Severn plays.”

The Pommery Dorset Seafood Festivalis 10 years old but still warmly welcoming thousands of enthusiastic visitors to the atmospheric seafood and champagne extravaganza, with plenty of new and exciting experiences for all the family to engage with this year. Free to attend, the 10thPommery Dorset Seafood Festival takes place once again around Weymouth’s famous historic harbour-side on 8th& 9thJuly 2017 offering champagne and seafood, family entertainment and a great opportunity to gain a better understanding of the superb seafood available to us just off our wonderful shores.

For more information, visit or follow us on Twitter @dorsetseafood or Facebook Dorset Seafood Festival.

Programme subject to change in case HMS Severn is deployed.

Ends

Editor’s Notes

Issued on behalf of Pommery Dorset Seafood Festivalby In The Bag PR

For more information please see or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

For further information please contact; Sophie Kermani,Director – In The Bag PR

TEL: 07739554794 and EMAIL:

Dorset Seafood Festival represents the UK’s largest, free-to-attend seafood festival, recently winning Gold in the Dorset Tourism Awards for Tourism Event of the Year as well as Outstanding Contribution to Tourism and Silver in the South West Tourism Excellence Awards in 2015/2016.

Charity Information - The Fishermen’s Mission

The Fishermen’s Mission is the only fishermen’s charity that provides emergency support alongside practical and emotional care. It helps all fishermen, active or retired, and their families.It does this by:

  • Offering immediate assistance, day or night, to the families of fishermen who have been killed or seriously injured
  • Looking after the survivors of fishing boat accidents
  • Helping injured or ill fishermen to find medical help
  • Finding emergency housing and food if necessary
  • Supporting fishermen’s families in the case of illness, distress or financial difficulties
  • Alleviating loneliness by visiting retired fishermen and their families at home or in hospital
  • Offering welfare and support to overseas fishermen working in the UK fishing industry, especially those who have to live onboard boats
  • Providing Christian pastoral and practical help, including problems with debt, sickness, bereavement, family difficulties and addiction problems