Busy WESTMINSTER – the Type 23 Frigate WESTMINSTER has makes huge drugs haul – valued at £14 m with the frigate’s MERLIN helicopter playing a key part in intercepting a suspicious dhow in the Indian Ocean, seizing over 70 bales each of about 180kg of pure heroin. The  WESTMINSTER is operating under the banner of Combined Task Force 150, one of three task forces co-ordinated by the international Combined Maritime Forces, with the aim of defeating terrorism, preventing piracy, stopping the illegal trafficking of people and drugs, and promoting the maritime environment as a safe place for mariners with legitimate business.    The WESTMINSTER was directed to seek out the suspicious dhow by the commander of Combined Task Force 150 - a Commodore of the Royal Australian Navy.

The WESTMINSTER has also recently visited Mombasa (Kenya) to train with her Kenyan counterparts and promote trade between the UK and East Africa and was also used as the venue for the launch of the 'SeaSafe' initiative. This campaign will see UK authorities, through the High Commission, partner with the Kenya tourism industry and the Government of Kenya to provide useful advice to visitors, helping them enjoy the Indian Ocean safely.   Several of the ship's company attended a memorial service for the nine Royal Navy personnel who lost their lives when the LYNX helicopter from the Type 22 Frigate BRILLIANT crashed near Mombasa in 1989 whilst carrying crew ashore.    Another group visited the Coast General Hospital in Mombasa to meet with patients and distribute small gifts to a variety of delighted children's, and also visited the maternity and burns wards.