
News / News Wire
Royal Navy minesweeper moors by Arnolfini
Minehunter HMS Atherstone – one of the largest ships able to navigate within Bristol’s Floating Harbour – has moored next to the Arnolfini.
Known as ‘the Crazy A’, the ship boasts glass-reinforced plastic hulls to conceal its presence from the threat of mines at sea. Its job is to clear the way of mines to allow safe passage for larger forces, swiftly detecting and destroying any hidden dangers.
Independent journalism
is needed now More than ever
is needed now More than ever
Keep our city's journalism independent. Become a supporter member today.
Usually based in Portsmouth and launched in March 1986, HMS Atherstone recently spent more than three years on security operations in the Gulf, returning to the UK in December last year.
The minehunter had been based in Bahrain for three years and seven months with a crew of 45.
Read more: 14 historic photos of the Floating Harbour