First woman warship commander of Royal Navy

The first woman commander of a warship in its history The Royal Navy confirmed on Tuesday that it had appointed. Sarah West, 39, from Lincolnshire, a county in the east of England.

The first woman appointed by the Royal Navy to command a frigate, blowing another taboo surrounding the service of women in the armed forces out of the water.

Royal Navy Ship

West will take up her post on the HMS Portland, a type 23 frigates, in April, at which time she will make a statement about her appointment, a spokesman for Britain's Ministry of Defence told to media.

West will be taking over the role of Commander on the warship from Mike Knott.

Her previous naval experience includes serving in the Gulf on the Middle East operations team, during which time she also achieved an honors degree in law.

Serving in the Royal Marines, the Submarine Service, the Household Cavalry and the Royal Armored Corps.

Women have served on surface ships in the Royal Navy since 1991 and represent about 10 percent of the force.