About Sarah West: Sarah West is a Royal Navy officer, the first woman to be appointed to command a major warship in the Royal Navy.
Taking command of HMS Portland is definitely the highlight of my 16 years in the Navy. It is a challenge that I am fully trained for and ready to undertake.
I am very proud to be taking command of a Type 23 frigate, which is an extremely flexible warship, and I'm looking forward to taking HMS Portland on operations with a professional and focused team.
I worked as a trainee manager for two years after leaving university - then got bored with the nine to five.
Years at sea probably explains why I'm single. But every person in the military makes sacrifices.
Anti-submarine warfare is the military version of chess. You must work out what the enemy is going to do before they even think of it.
