LIEUTENANT Commander Tom Trent, who was brought up in Stokesley, has assumed his first naval command on HMS Hurworth, following her recent refit.

After completing his A-levels at Stokesley School, Lt Cdr Trent achieved a BEng (Hons) in naval architecture and an MPhil in marine transportation from the University of Newcastle.

He joined the Royal Navy in the autumn of 2001. After initial training, he had deployments on HMS Kent, Lancaster, Montrose and Edinburgh before taking up his current position in December.

His tours involved counter narcotics operations in the Caribbean, the provision of operational training for the coastguard service of Trinidad and Tobago, and tours to the South Atlantic, West and South Africa, UK dependencies and the United States.

HMS Hurworth, a Hunt class minehunter, is linked to the Hurworth Hunt and to the village of Hurworth. Last year, the ship’s company re-affirmed their ties with the Hurworth community by meeting youngsters at the village primary school, playing cricket against a local cricket team, Hurworth Gentlemen, visiting the hounds of the hunt and renovating the HMS Hurworth bench at the Rockcliffe Court care home.

An Iron Cross medal that had been recovered from a German Aircraft by the original HMS Hurworth during the Second World War, was also returned by the hunt to the Royal Navy in a special ceremony.

Following her refit, HMS Hurworth recently took to the sea to begin her own programme, So far this has involved testing the team’s reactions to whole ship emergencies, practising coastal navigation and other key maritime skills.

Lt Cdr Trent said: “With new engines and new communication systems, this 30-year-old ship is now, nearly, back to full operating capability. My team is now relishing the chance to exploit this outstanding new kit during training and operations in the Gulf.”

Lt Cdr Trent now lives near Portsmouth with his wife, Helen. Away from work, he enjoys adding to his collection of electric and acoustic guitars and all manner of outdoor pursuits, from whitewater kayaking and kite-surfing, to sailing his 19ft Cornish shrimper yacht.

He maintains strong links with the Stokesley area through his family.