Ex-navy ship is set to fight off pirates

AN ICONIC Maldon warship is being refurbished to take on Somali pirates.

Defender, an ex-Omani Navy fast attack vessel, is being armed and modernised at Fullbridge after languishing on the Blackwater estuary for the past three years.

AHOY THERE: Ex-Royal Navy officer Chris Enmarsh with Defender, the Maldon-based warship that will combat Somali pirates Photo: Steve Clow
AHOY THERE Ex-Royal Navy officer Chris Enmarsh with Defender, the Maldon-based warhship that will combat Somali pirates.
PROTECTION: Defender will sail from Maldon to the African coast

The battle-grey ship has changed hands several times since being "gifted" back to Lowestoft where she was built in the mid-70s, by the Sultan of Oman.

Her new owner and skipper, former Royal Navy Lieutenant Chris Enmarsh, 51, said: "Defender's task will be to deter pirates intent on boarding the many ships that pass the East African coastline. One look at her should be enough to send them looking for easier targets.

"She will be manned by handpicked ex-Royal Marine Commandos and run as a professional naval ship, obeying the rules of engagement.

"Our primary task will be to protect oil platforms which are towed close to the coast of East Africa, and a number of oil companies want to hire Defender to look after their interests.

"We are not mercenaries; this is strictly a business venture similar to other British private protection firms which operate in Iraq and Afghanistan."

Defender, which is 127ft long, is undergoing modifications before sailing to Africa.

Mr Enmarsh said: "She has already had a 40mm cannon on her fore deck and a 20mm cannon will be installed on her aft deck, with two machine guns on each side, giving 360 degree coverage.

"Her twin engines have also been replaced while berthed at Fullbridge, but the major work will be done when she returns to Falmouth in the next few weeks after initial trials in the Blackwater."

A Maldon-based marine engineering company run by Jim Dines has been hard at work improving its power system and making internal engineering changes to the cabins.

Much of its original electrical equipment was made in Essex by Marconi Marine, of Chelmsford, and Paxman, of Colchester, both now defunct.

Rumours were rife that Defender was being turned into a luxury motor yacht or even a base for Maldon Sea Cadets who meet at The Plume School.

Tracey Temme, a 1st Lieutenant with the Sea Cadets, said: "There is no truth in it at all – we were looking to buy Defender a few years ago, but nothing came of it."