A huge naval warship has docked with a number of armed forces onboard.
The Royal Navy patrol vessel HMS Mersey, has returned home to Liverpool in Ukrainian colours to coincide with the city hosting the Eurovision Song Contest. The boat is located next to the city's Eurovision Village and the Royal Marines Corps of Drums will give short performances including a military precision, pomp and ceremony onboard HMS Mersey.
A team of 50 armed forces personnel will work alongside Merseyside Police, providing Explosive Ordinance Disposal and High Assurance Venue Search leading up to the Grand Final. In addition to this, the ship will host a ‘Power Up’ networking event aimed at Ukrainians living in or evacuated to Northern England to gain employment, joining forces with the Power Collective CIC and Northern Power Women, led by Honorary Captain Simone Roche MBE.
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As part of the Government’s long-term planning for the delivery of large-scale events, Armed Forces personnel will help to ensure the safe and smooth running of the first Eurovision hosted event in the UK for 25 years.
This activity is long-planned and in keeping with an event of this size. The Armed Forces have previously provided security support to the Commonwealth Games, Olympics, HM Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral and the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla.
Commanding Officer of HMS Mersey, Lieutenant Commander James Mitchell said: "It is great to be back in our spiritual home and back on the River Mersey for the excitement and build up to Eurovision. This year’s event has a significant focus on Ukraine and it is only right that the Armed Forces continue to demonstrate our solidarity and support.
"Our activities will have a strong Ukrainian focus which include floodlighting the ship in the yellow and blue national colours and hosting local Ukrainian families.”
Deputy Commander of 29 Explosive Ordnance Disposal and Search Group, Lieutenant Colonel Tim Jones said: “We often provide our specialist capabilities to support the security of major events but there is a particular resonance to this operation given that Eurovision is taking place in Liverpool because of the situation in Ukraine.
“We are proud to play our part in this national event to ensure that the event runs as smoothly and safely as possible.”
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