The Royal Navy have been on show for Dartmouth Regatta 2026.

Besides the many attractions on the water and in the Town, this year’s Royal Navy Guardship, HMS Brocklesby was open to visitors as well as two Archer Class P2000 Patrol boats, HMS Blazer and HMS Express who are based out of HMNB Devonport.

HMS Brocklesby, a Hunt Class Mine Counter-Measures Vessel (MCMV).

As the name suggests, her primary purpose is to seek out and destroy enemy mines, using Sonar technology and a combination of highly trained Mine Clearance Divers and the SEAFOX unmanned underwater vehicle. Brocklesby’s glass-reinforced plastic hull – one of the largest of its kind – helps protect her from mines.

The Commanding Officer HMS Brocklesby said: “It is a great honour and a privilege for HMS Brocklesby to serve as the Royal Navy Guardship for the Dartmouth Regatta 2026. “Dartmouth has a proud and enduring connection with the Royal Navy, and we are delighted to be returning this year to play our part in this highly anticipated event for HMS Brocklesby’s first time since 2013.

“The Regatta provides a wonderful opportunity for the Ship’s company to meet the local residents, visitors and members of the wider maritime community, whilst conversely providing attendees with the opportunity to tour the ship and learn more about the role the Royal Navy plays in modern warfare.

“I am extremely proud to continue this enduring bond between the people of Dartmouth and the Royal Navy.”

Ashore, BRNC were supporting the town with a workforce of 40 University Royal Naval Unit (URNU) Officer Cadets.

Acting as event stewards throughout the Regatta, the cadets undertook a wide variety of duties including marshalling the road race, officiating the popular crabbing competition and crewing BRNC Motor Whaler launches during the Regatta River Parade.

The URNU Officer Cadets also took part in the festivities, fielding teams to compete against local entrants in both the Dragon Boat Racing and the Kontiki Raft Race.

Their involvement highlights the enduring and close relationship between BRNC and the Dartmouth community.

The South West Area Sea Cadets took centre stage during the Regatta Opening Ceremony on Wednesday, August 26.

Leading the procession to the Bandstand, the Sea Cadets then performed a static Beating Retreat, adding a strong ceremonial element to the opening celebrations.

Support to the Regatta extends beyond the town and river, with the Fleet Air Arm contributing from the skies.

Wildcat HMA2 helicopters from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, conducted flypasts during the event.

The Wildcat HMA2 is the Royal Navy's maritime strike helicopter, capable of conducting a broad range of operational tasks including anti-surface warfare, force protection and counter-piracy operations.

Britannia Royal Naval College Dartmouth, is the naval academy of the United Kingdom and the initial officer training academy of the Royal Navy.

It is located on a hill overlooking the port of Dartmouth.

Royal Naval officer training has taken place in Dartmouth since 1863.

The buildings of the current campus were completed in 1905.

Since 1998, BRNC has been the sole centre for Royal Naval officer training.