A MALTON sailor is preparing to take on pirates as he sails through some of the most dangerous seas in the world.

Petty Officer Colin Clayton, 35, is on HMS Bulwark, part of the Royal Navy’s Taurus 09 deployment, currently heading for the Far East.

He and the rest of the crew have just sailed through the pirate-infested waters between Yemen and Somalia – the scene of numerous attacks in recent months – and are standing by to help any seafarers who are attacked by the rocket-wielding sea raiders.

Bulwark will also be sailing through the StraitS of Malacca, one of the most important shipping lanes in the world, and also notorious for pirate attacks.

But anti-piracy operations are not the main reason for the deployment.

Colin and HMS Bulwark set off from the UK in February, and have been undertaking training and multi-national exercises in the Mediterranean, practising amphibious and anti-submarine warfare in large-scale exercises off the coasts of Cyprus and Turkey The task group also comprises HMS Ocean, HMS Somerset, submarine HMS Talent, US destroyer USS Mitscher and Royal Fleet Auxiliary ship Wave Ruler.

They are headed for a period of underwater warfare training in the Arabian Sea, while HMS Bulwark, with 40 Commando Royal Marines on board, is heading for India.

The entire task group will meet up once more for the culmination of the six-month deployment, which will be an intense, multi-national training package in the jungles of Brunei.

This will provide crucial training for the Royal Navy and its Royal Marines, many of whom have more recently been serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Training will also be conducted on the way with the Bangladeshi Navy.

Colin – who has served on board HMS Bulwark for nearly a year – said: “It’s very exciting as there are lots of sailors and marines who have managed to get as far as the Middle East but have not been to the Far East – there is a real buzz around the ship at the moment.

“I joined the Navy to have an interesting, different job, travelling the world and experiencing new things, and that is exactly what this deployment has given me.”

He added: “It’s very important for us professionally of course, as we are practising skills on a daily basis that we cannot rehearse in home waters.

“The Royal Navy has been more recently serving in more high-profile areas on land such as Iraq and Afghanistan, but our maritime skills must be maintained so we are ready for any eventuality.”