AN eleven-year-old youngster from Tavistock who hopes to join the Royal Marines is even more determined to fulfil his ambition after a visit to the Royal Navy?s Fleet Amphibious Flagship, HMS Albion.
Tom Ludvik, along with his brother, Freddie, 8, and his parents, Jonathan and Davinia, were given a VIP tour of the ship, moored alongside at Devonport Naval Base, by Colour Sgt Nigel Bartlett from the ship?s Royal Marine Assault Squadron.
The visit started with a ride to the ship in a Royal Marine tracked vehicle and included a tour of HMS Albion?s bridge and a look at the ship?s amphibious landing craft.
Davinia Ludvik said: ?We had such a fantastic time on board. All of us were completely bowled over. Everybody went out of their way to make us welcome.
?Colour Sgt Patterson was very informative and a fantastic ambassador for the Royal Marines.?
HMS Albion is the Royal Navy?s newest amphibious assault ship and is part of a modernisation programme of the UK?s amphibious capabilities. She carries four heavy and four light landing craft to offload large amounts of personnel, ammunition, stores and vehicles, including Challenger 2tanks, from her floodable dock. Her command and combat systems are the most advanced in the Royal Navy.
The ship has recently returned to Plymouth following a multi-national exercise which took place off the coast of Norway.