The Landing Ship Dock Auxiliary, RFA Mounts Bay arrives in Falmouth tomorrow afternoon.

The vessel which entered service with her Dedication Ceremony held in Falmouth, in September 2006, and was subsequently granted the honorary Freedom of her affiliated town, in April of this year, was to have returned to embark some of the town's civic leaders for a passage to Plymouth to acquaint themselves with the ship, her role and capabilities.

But the mayor cannot go and neither can any of his colleagues according to the town clerk's secretary.

Just who will go on board is not clear, but Captain Ross Ferris, the ship's Commanding Officer, emphasised how important it was for the ship to maintain close contact with her affiliated port and said how pleased they were to be able to repay the compliment, in a small way, for the kindnesses and honours bestowed upon her by the town.

Although Mounts Bay is almost new, she has proven her worth and capability in a number of major exercises already, from Sierra Leone to the north of Norway. This year alone, the 16,000 tonne Landing Ship, has visited many ports in northern Europe, conducted major exercises in Scotland and the Baltic as part of the UK's Amphibious Task Group often in support of 40 Commando Royal Marines, and provided the Naval presence in Leith during the Edinburgh Miltary Tattoo. She is currently working with 45 Commando, and Plymouth based 539 Assault Squadron Royal Marines and remains busy to the end of the year with a period where interoperability and cooperation with the Netherlands Amphibious Forces is reinforced, several smaller exercises and a visit to the Arctic Circle.