THE looming hulk of HMS Ocean cuts an unlikely figure for a ship at the sharp end of British foreign diplomacy.

Lacking the presence of a battleship with bristling guns or the shapely majesty of an aircraft carrier, only her size distinguishes her.

But beneath her grey exterior lurks a military force with a formidable punch - tested and proved for the first time in the conflict in West African country Sierra Leone.

Yesterday, after twice being diverted by the call of duty, HMS Ocean finally made it to her adopted city of Sunderland.

Residents crowded the quays to greet her as she sailed in for a four-day visit.

Thousands of people are expected to board the ship when she opens doors to the public from 11am-5pm on Saturday.

HMS Ocean is the biggest ship in the Royal Navy. Built for the same cost as a frigate, the 21,000-tonne Ocean is a purpose-built amphibious helicopter carrier, designed to take 800 Royal Marines for rapid deployment in areas of conflict or civil disaster.

It carries 12 troop-carrying helicopters and up to six light helicopters, along with equipment, artillery, vehicles and stores.

Since September 1998, HMS Ocean has played a crucial role in mercy missions to help flood victims in hurricane hit Honduras and Honduras. And she was on hand to help earthquake victims in Turkey.

More recently, HMS Ocean was on a visit to Marseille in France when she was called to the Sierra Leone capital of Freetown.

There she played a vital role in Operation Palliser - an emergency mission to safeguard Lunghi airport and Aberdeen Peninsular from the threat of incursion by rebels of the Revolutionary United Front.

Yesterday, with the heat of war behind them, the crew were looking forward to seeing more of their adopted city.

Commanding Officer Captain Scott Lidbetter said: "I am delighted to be bringing HMS Ocean back to her affiliated city.

"This is a great opportunity for us to get to know Sunderland better and strengthen our ties with the council, local businesses and the community."

Among the crew were a dozen members from the region who were looking forward to seeing their families too.

But they still cast their minds back to those they left behind in Sierra Leone.

Colour Sergeant Mark Thompson, of Walker, Newcastle, said: "While we were there we felt we were making a real difference. But there was a real sense of frustration when we left because the problems started all over again."

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