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If you spot a Royal Navy boat in local waters today, don't panic - French fishermen aren't threatening to blockade the harbour again.
HMS Severn is instead visiting for what the government is calling a "routine" navigational training exercise.
The visit was said to be pre-arranged and form part of the Royal Navy's regular programme of work around British seas.
HMS Severn is a 1,700-tonne, 80m ship that has a top speed of more than 20 knots. It is equipped with one 20mm cannon and two general purpose machine guns.
I'll be honest, we were hoping for better weather in #Jersey! Never mind - it makes for excellent training!#NavigationTraining pic.twitter.com/bjE3D2xs1c
— HMS Severn (@hmssevern) May 13, 2021
It's the vessel's second trip to the island in a week.
On Wednesday night, it was sent to the island along with HMS Tamar on the order of UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson to help "de-escalate" tensions with French fishermen, who were threatening to blockade the Jersey's ports.
In the end, around 70 French vessels swarmed St. Helier harbour in protest on Thursday morning, with the two Navy boats keeping a watchful eye over the action as it played out.
HMS Severn remained near Corbiere, while HMS Tamar was south of St. Aubin's Bay.
A more detailed MarineTraffic playback video of activity around Jersey from 2am UTC today until just a few moments ago, which includes all the French fishing vessels, plus the HMS Severn, & the French Navy's Athos vessel.
— MarineTraffic (@MarineTraffic) May 6, 2021
Video also shows our new Economic Zones Layers. pic.twitter.com/aHL7GB7lWK
French authorities also sent along two patrol boats - Themis and Athos - which remained in French waters to the north and east of the island.
French authorities told Express that the vessels were there to ensure the safety of protestors.
The protesting boats left the island's waters shortly after 13:00 following emergency talks with Jersey's Assistant Environment Minister, Deputy Gregory Guida.
Pictured: HMS Tamar keeping watch over the protest in the distance.
The Royal Navy ships stayed in place for several hours after but eventually returned to their home in Portsmouth that evening. However, the Prime Minister said that they would remain on "stand-by", should Jersey need them again.
Pictured top: HMS Severn. (Royal Navy/LA Greg Macready)
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