Woman to command British navy frigate

A 16-year veteran of the Royal Navy has achieved a significant first, becoming the first woman to command a British warship. Commander Sarah West becomes captain of HMS Portland, a Type 23 frigate, on Tuesday, The Guardian reported. The vessel is currently based at Rosyth in Scotland and is expected to be sent to the Persian Gulf or the South Atlantic after a refit. West called the promotion "the highlight of my 16 years in the Navy so far." "It is a challenge I am fully trained for and ready to undertake," she said. As the Portland's captain, West will be in charge of a crew of 185, most of them men. While women have been part of the Royal Navy since World War I and have made significant advances in the past two decades, the service is still about 90 percent male. "The navy has had women commanders before, but none of them have made that leap up to the big warships," a defense official said. "It is a significant step up, but she definitely has the experience to do this." West, 40, served in the Gulf on board HMS Sheffield and was involved in planning for the 2003 Iraq invasion. Commander Sue Moore, 43, was recently put in charge of the First Patrol Boat Squadron, becoming the first woman to head a small boat group. Women have also skippered minesweepers and other small boats.