For the first time in her 20 year history, HMS Richmond has navigated through the Panama Canal. Having recently transited though the Magellan Strait, and on many occasions through the Suez Canal, the Panama Canal is one of the last major navigational milestones for the Ship.

Here is the business end of this boat at work!!

Sailing early from the Port of Balboa in Panama City, she reached the Miraflores Lock in good time and swiftly proceeded in, connecting to four of the Panama Canal’s famous mules.

The Panama Canal is celebrating its centenary in 2014 and recently had the passage of its 1 millionth vessel. The main passage covers a total of 48 miles and is 26 metres above the level of the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans on either side.

There are three sets of locks, two near the Pacific and one near the Atlantic. Two bridges pass over the canal, the Bridge of the Americas, near where the Ship was berthed in Balboa, and the Centenary Bridge. A third bridge is planned.

Commenting on the canal transit, HMS Richmond’s Navigator, Lieutenant Chris Daly said:

“Despite being Richmond’s first transit through the Panama Canal, it is a well trodden route by Royal Navy Warships. Nonetheless, as a Navigator it was certainly one of my highlights of this deployment.“

HMS Richmond then continued into the Caribbean conducting further maritime security patrols.

Launched on the River Tyne 6th April 1993, she is the last warship to have been built by Swan Hunter Shipbuilders