The Royal Navy has announced and celebrated the achievements of its Surface Fleet in the annual SURFLOT Excellence Awards, recognising standout performances across a demanding year of operations.
Among the winners, HMS Richmond emerged as the top ship of 2024, securing the coveted Naval Capability Trophy for its exceptional contributions to missions ranging from counter-drone operations in the Middle East to submarine patrols in the North Atlantic.
HMS Richmond: A Year of Remarkable Service
HMS Richmond stood out for its ability to handle diverse challenges with precision and professionalism. Early in the year, the frigate was deployed to the Middle East, where it played a pivotal role in safeguarding shipping in the Red Sea amidst missile threats from Houthi rebels in Yemen. Notably, Richmond became the first Royal Navy vessel to fire the Sea Ceptor air defence missile in combat, successfully downing drones.
Upon its return, Richmond continued to operate at full capacity, patrolling North Atlantic waters to monitor submarine activity and keeping tabs on Chinese naval movements through the Dover Strait. This consistency and versatility earned Richmond not only the Naval Capability Trophy but also the title of Best Frigate, with HMS Lancaster as runner-up.
HMS Trent: Counter-Narcotics Success
HMS Trent also garnered recognition, winning the Best Offshore Patrol Vessel Trophy (Batch 2) and finishing as runner-up in the Engineering Trophy category. In an extended nine-month patrol, Trent disrupted eight major drug operations, seizing over £750 million worth of narcotics, including the Royal Navy’s first capture of a narco-submarine. This feat solidified Trent’s status as the Royal Navy’s most successful counter-narcotics unit of the 21st century.
Trent’s contributions extended beyond counter-narcotics. The ship provided disaster relief during the hurricane season, aiding communities in the Cayman Islands and British Virgin Islands after severe storms.
Celebrating Excellence Across the Fleet
The awards reflected the depth of talent and commitment across the Surface Fleet. Commodore Paul Pitcher, Commodore Surface Flotilla, praised the recipients in a Royal Navy news release:
“2024 has been a demanding period requiring dedication and professionalism, and the Surface Flotilla has delivered across the board – BZ to all winners and runners-up!”
Ships and units awarded the prestigious Fleet Effectiveness Pennant can fly the emblem for 12 months, symbolising their excellence.
Full List of Winners
- Naval Capability Trophy: Richmond; runner-up: Lancaster
- Capital Ship Trophy and Pennant: Prince of Wales
- Destroyer Trophy and Pennant: Duncan; runner-up: Diamond
- Frigate Trophy and Pennant: Richmond; runner-up: Lancaster
- Offshore Patrol Vessel Trophy and Pennant (The Jersey Cup):
- Batch 1: Tyne; runner-up: Severn
- Batch 2: Trent; runner-up: Spey
- Above Water Warfare Trophy: Diamond; runner-up: Lancaster
- Underwater Warfare Trophy: Portland; runner-up: Richmond
- Communications Trophy: Prince of Wales; runner-up: Cyberspace Squadron, Lightning Air Wing
- Fleet Diving Unit Trophy: Echo Squadron; runner-up: M2C3
- Fleet Intelligence Trophy:
- Unit: Tyne
- Individual: LH (Int) Chloe Macdonald (JMSC)
- Maritime Signals Intelligence Trophy:
- Team: Richmond CESM
- Individual: CPO (T) David Howe
- Rulers of the Road Pennant: Medway; runner-up: Prince of Wales
- Engineering Trophy: Diamond; runner-up: Trent
- Fleet EW Trophy: Duncan; runner-up: Lancaster
- Inshore Patrol Vessel Trophy: Dasher; runner-up: Biter
- HM SURFLOT Excellence Trophy: FHMU FST1; runner-up: Magpie
- MCM Trophy and Pennant: MCM2 Crew 2; runner-up: MTXG XRAY Unit 3
- Seamanship Trophy: Lancaster; runner-up: Duncan
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The pool is getting smaller every year soon it will be a toss up between Belfast and the Victory ( Sarcasm) . But who won the Surface fleet Uckers award ?, Out bits ,6 me bones
The pool is getting smaller every year soon it will be a toss up between Belfast and the Victory ( Sarcasm) . But who won the Surface fleet Uckers award ?, Out bits ,6 me bones
I haven’t duplicated the above statement George
How about giving every ship and crew the award, as they are the service pulling it out of the bag every time, no matter what cuts, shit and manning issues arise! Good forward planning of both men and machinery have ensured they can still do the tasks allocated to them (mostly) a fact which the army could learn from! Well done the RN!
Very Woke, there are no losers in the modern very small navy every ship is either first or second. Seems something that a company might do on bonding weekend on the advice of some HR group hug advice.
No recognition of the work Royal Fleet Auxiliary have conducted this year..
Yes indeed, I was thinking the same, pity there isn’t a ‘best auxiliary’ trophy
What’s the prize? Not being scrapped between now and the spring budget?