The Naval commander in charge of the ill-fated HMS Nottingham thanked his family and friends for their support this week as he tried to put the drama of the past 14 months behind him.

Commander Richard Farrington, who lives in Love Lane with his wife Julie and their two daughters, was reprimanded by a court martial in Portsmouth last week for his part in the grounding of the £250m warship.

The Nottingham nearly sank when she hit the notorious Wolf Rock 400 miles from Sydney, Australia, last July.

The court heard how Cdr Farrington, 43, had left the ship to visit a sick crew member on Lord Howe Island hours before she hit the rocks.

He rejoined the ship by helicopter, but she struck Wolf Rock because officers had failed to consult charts.

President of the court, Commodore Phillip Wilcocks DSC, said: ÒCdr Farrington, we take account of your exceptional record and potential and particularly give you credit for your intense loyalty to your ship and officers.

ÒYou were not directly responsible for the grounding. Your mistake was that, because of the perceived pressure to embark in the helicopter, you failed to give a proper handover to your executive officer.

ÒHad you done this it is distinctly probable that you would have identified potential hazards and the grounding may not have happened.

ÒNevertheless, your culpability is at the very lowest end of the scale and your sentence of reprimand reflects that view.Ó

After the hearing at HMS Nelson on Thursday of last week, Cdr Farrington said it had marked a degree of closure for himself and his officers.

He said: ÒI would like to thank publicly our families and friends who stood by us when we were far from home, and who have continued to give unerring support, encouragement and love during the long months leading up to today.Ó

He also thanked the people of Lord Howe Island, the Royal New Zealand Navy and the Royal Australian Navy for their help at the time.

ÒSince returning from Australia a year ago, we have all tried hard to get on with our lives and throw everything into our current posts. You cannot shake off something like this easily. Today marks a degree of closure though, and we need to get on with life.Ó

He added: ÒThis incident reminds us all that the sea is an unforgiving master, and all those who follow this rewarding profession must treat it with respect, regardless of the technology that is available.

ÒAs I think I said at the time, the grounding marked the coincidence of unfortunate circumstances and basic human error. This court martial has reinforced that view.

ÒWe could all have done more. We accept responsibility, and the inevitable consequences.Ó

He went on to praise his fellow officers for their professionalism and added: ÒI would relish the opportunity to serve at sea again with any or all of them.Ó

Three other officers also faced the court martial.

Lieutenant Commander John Lea, the NottinghamÕs executive officer, and Lieutenant James Denney, officer of the watch, were dismissed from their ships.

Lieutenant Andrew Ingham, NottinghamÕs navigating officer, was given a severe reprimand.

HMS Nottingham is still undergoing repairs after being returned to Portsmouth on a transporter ship.