Spice Island News

Britannia Royal Naval College's bridge simulator unit features photo-realistic recreations of key harbours for trainees to hone ship piloting skills. "Whereas in the past you'd just see a row of houses, now there are specific buildings," explains Lieutenant Sam Stephens, head of navigation at Dartmouth. Buildings such as the distinctive Wilton Hotel on Plymouth's Grand Parade. It's painted gold - like the real thing - and you can clearly read the lettering. The same goes for the Spice Island Inn in Portsmouth. Portsmouth Harbour is the pièce de résistance of the upgrade.

Guided-missile destroyer USS Stout (DDG 55) tows Tanzanian-flagged passenger ferry Spice Island while in international waters off the coast of Somalia. Spice Island, which was carrying no passengers, hailed for engineering assistance when it ran out of fuel while transiting to Tanzania. Stout provided the crew with food, water and fuel and helped to get the vessel operational under its own power. Coalition forces have a long-standing tradition of helping mariners in distress by providing medical assistance, engineering assistance and search and rescue efforts. (U.S. Navy photo)